We lost a brother: PWRR dedicate Aki 10s victory to memory of friend and teammate Seni
The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment has honoured the memory of their teammate with a touching tribute after winning the Akrotiri 10s.
The team, based out of Episkopi Garrison in Cyprus, beat RAF Fire 24–0 in the Cup Final of the tournament.
Paying tribute to Private Epeli Seniloli, known as Seni, who recently died, the Tigers dedicated the win to him and his family in Fiji.
The team came out on top after a gruelling four days of matches at RAF Akrotiri.
Corporal Ratu Nacigilavu, Captain of the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment team, said: "This win is dedicated to all 1PWRR soldiers and friends, but most of all to our brother Pte Seniloli and his family, his wife Veronica and his unborn child."
A keen rugby player, Pte Seniloli was due to play in the tournament before his death.
Cpl Ratu Nacigilavu added: "Two weeks ago, we lost a brother who used to play with us.
"Losing him is a really big loss for us. He was loved by everyone.
"Everywhere he is, there is always talking and laughter. When he was in the rugby field, he was always making us laugh."
Largely a team of Fijians, PWRR dominated the length of the competition, but faced a tougher final against RAF Fire.
"It's an honour for us to be representing 1PWRR and playing with my Fijian brothers," said Cpl Nacigilavu.
"It was just like playing rugby back at home."
The Royal Artillery won the Women's Cup, with Marham and Akrotiri winning the Men's Plate and Bowl.
Lance Corporal Holly Beacom, a player in the Royal Artillery team, said: "We're elated. We're so thankful for the other teams for showing up and giving us a good go.
"The atmosphere was amazing, the heat got to us, but we've had a great time."
The competition, which has been running since the 1980s, aims to bring new players onto the pitch in support of grassroots sport.
"We've a few people in our team who've never touched a rugby ball," she added.
"It's great to see the experienced and the non-experienced players getting together."
Nine men's teams and four women's teams from across the Armed Forces competed in the rugby tournament.
Both resident infantry battalions in Cyprus, Rifles and PWRR, plus Akrotiri, forwarded teams.
Visitors from RAF Fire, Marham, Waddington, Wattisham, Rangers, and Odiham all journeyed for the competition.
Two sides from Akrotiri faced Marham and the Gunners in a women's league, with Marham bowing out on the final day due to injury.
Visiting from High Wycombe, director of RAF Community Rugby, Air Commodore Jamie Thompson, said: "What's great to see is the number of female and male teams from across the services – both socially and on the field."
The Aki 10s made their triumphant return after a six-year absence due to the pandemic and operations.
Group Captain Simon Cloke, Station Commander at RAF Akrotiri, said: "The ground's hard, the temperatures hot, and the competition has been fierce.
"Everyone has put 100% commitment in."
He added: "There's a long history of the Aki 10s. It feels like Akrotiri is back on the map for rugby."
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