MATCH REPORT OF THE RAFRU ‘VULTURES’ VETERANS V BRITISH PRISON SERVICE PLAYED AT RAFC CRANWELL ON 25 NOV 2009

In their first full game of the season, the previous four matches being cancelled the RAF Vultures Veterans team welcomed Sgt Si Hill into the coaching appointment in time for the friendly against a lively British Prison Service Vets side. Davie Mason soon made his presence felt by jinking over for the opening try in only the second minute of the game, this was converted by Si Cooper. The Vultures skippered by Paul Fisher soon settled down to their familiar routine and despite the high winds the ball was soon in the hands of new boy Sion Lloyd-Jones who raced 30 metres to score a debut try in the corner. Prison Service hit back and after some stirring forward drives they narrowly failed to score a deserved try but converted a penalty for the offence of deliberately slowing the ball down by the Vultures. Tries from another debutante Clive Halliday and old hand Rob Lowson both converted by Si Cooper brought the score to 26 points to 10 points at half-time. From the second half kick off another new boy Chris Reed caught the ball cleanly and assisted by Colin Lewis drove the ball into the Prison Service 22. From the ensuing ruck, Mason eased his way over for his second try; this was again converted by Cooper. The Vultures were now in control of the forward proceedings and following some strong backrow drives the back was spun out to the three-quarters with scrum half Craig Farrington to score the first of his two tries with fullback Si Cooper adding the extras. The high winds continued to play havoc with the Prison Service game plan of ‘kick and rush’. Vulture’s emergency second row, Reed received a stern warning from the referee for some vigorous rucking of the ball before spending 10 minutes thinking about his actions. A further try from Farrington, which was converted by Si Cooper

Although the Vultures started the second half slowly and were under some considerable pressure from the Prison Service scrummage, which eventually led to a penalty try before a calming hand from skipper Paul Fisher set the Vultures scoring machine back on track with a try from Colin Lewis The Vultures were now in the driving seat and closed the game out with a final score of 57 points to 10 points in favour of the RAFRU Vultures

Match Report Provided by Steve Williams