RAF Earns Narrow Victory Over Army In Thrilling Inter-Services Opener

The RAF's rugby stars have earned a tight victory over defending Inter-Services champions the Army to win the opening game of this year's championship...

The light blues edged past their rivals 20-19 in a tight contest at RAF Halton.

It could have all gone so differently though.

It was the Army who raced into an early lead after a surge from Chris Leathem which took his side close to the Air Force line.

The men in red worked hard to recycle the ball before Ross Parkins displayed strength and determination to power his way over from close quarters for an unconverted score.

The Air Force had missed a penalty kick by the time the lethal Leathem led another assault against his opponents.

Neat interplay with Owain Davies resulted in Leathem dashing in under the posts to claim his second try, which was this time converted.

However, the Air Force players didn't let their heads drop and clawed their way back into the contest.

Premiership Rugby star Josh McNally put in the hard yards before the ball fizzed its way to Sam Randle - and the pilot landed in at the corner for a converted try.

The turning point came just before the break, however.

Ken Dowding was picked out by the referee for infringing his opponents illegally as the Army's penalty count went up at an alarming rate.

And worse was to come as the burly was prop sin-binned and the Army reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes.

With Dowding off the pitch, the Air Force took the upper hand.

From a line-out their powerful pack, plus one or two extras, shoved their way over for the try.

Scrum-half Ross Macdougall took the honours and crucially the scores were level at the break.

The second half saw the Air Force edge in front.

With the Army conceding a penalty at a scrum it gave the home side an easy shot at the posts.

Fly-half Andy Byrne slotted over from short range to put his side 15-12 up.

Further points followed as the home pack turned on the power once more.

Skipper Stu Philpott, with his wingman McNally behind him, rumbled in for another unconverted try.

The defending champions weren't finished though and through the Halton gloom, they came again.

This time Sonoma Veikune crashed in for a converted try to set up a nail-biting finish, with just one point separating the sides.

But with the clock running down the Air Force controlled possession in the middle of the park to see out an impressive 20-19 victory.

Army head coach Major Andy Sanger congratulated the RAF on their victory, saying:

"We knew they were a quality side. They're a different side to what they were five, six years ago. They've got quality players and they played the conditions and you've got to give them credit for that."

So silverware for beating the Army but the prize the RAF want is the Inter-Services title.

They could claim that next week with victory over the Royal Navy at the Twickenham Stoop.

What a way that would be to celebrate RAF 100!

More: As It Happened: Narrow Win For RAF Over Army In Inter-Services Opener