Rugby Union

17 Port and Maritime Regiment win British Army Premiership title in rainy Aldershot

17 Port and Maritime Regiment win British Army Premiership title

The conclusion of this year's Army Premiership rugby competition took place under rain-laden skies as first-time finalists 1 PWRR The Tigers took on last year's runners-up, 17 Port and Maritime Regiment, otherwise known as the Dolphins.

Despite the pyrotechnics welcoming the teams, the playing conditions dampened hopes of eye-catching running rugby.

It was the Tigers who opened the scoring. They made the most of a defensive fumble, and Veriti Naitaka dived onto the ball to dot down.

There was some uncertainty on the grounding, but following a quick conflab between referee and his assistant, the try was awarded, and the Tigers took the lead 5-0. The conversion attempt went wide.

As their name suggests, the Dolphins adapted to the wet weather and soon cancelled out their rivals' advantage. Winger Noah Cannon fired past his opposite number, and just like the Tigers try, it was a mix-up at the back that allowed the Marchwood-based side to level the score (5-5). Fly-half Michael Wright added the extras to put 17 Port and Maritime Regiment in front 7 points to 5 in a low-scoring first half. (5-7)

A penalty early in the second period of play saw the Tigers retake the lead, but it was the last time in the match they would enjoy the lead. (8-7)

Instead, it was the Dolphins who would emerge from the mudfest as champions. Ethan Riley's deft cross-field kick was perfectly placed for Tom Prosser to gather and score what turned out to be the match-winning try. (8-12).

Although Wright missed with his conversion attempt, he was given another shot at the posts when the Dolphins were awarded a penalty. This time, he made no mistake as his side took control of the contest. (8-15).

Despite the Tigers enjoying possession of the ball towards the end of the match, they couldn't convert that into points, so it was left to the Dolphins to gleefully kick the ball into touch and celebrate victory.

Dolphins team captain, Staff Sergeant Joe Brown, was part of the Dolphins team when the regiment last enjoyed victory in 2016.

Afterwards he paid tribute to his side and said: "We're not just a team, we're not just a regiment, we're a rugby club, we're a brotherhood, we're a family, and sometimes you've got to dig deep. They (the Tigers) pushed us to our limits and made us work for our victory."