As the army kicked off their second friendly in as many weeks they were hopeful for success in the wet welsh valley playing the Welsh Champions 'Blackwood Bulldogs'. Things got off to a fantastic start, the ball was caught on the full by the Bulldogs Prop, who was ceremonially smashed by Andy Evans causing him to drop the ball, handing over possession and the impetus to the Army.

The Army were the first to draw blood, after collecting a high kick Army Winger Gus Quasavakatini made a clean break covering almost half the pitch, off loading as he was tackled by the Blackwood Full Back to Mojee Matau who romped across the whitewash for a converted try. 0 – 6.

The Army increased their lead further within a couple of minutes, Gareth Slade Jones had crossed over for what all believed to be a try only to be called back for an earlier penalty, but this displeasure did not last long, on the second tackle Prop Marc Donnely powered through the defence to score. 0-10.

Blackwood rallied to the call. Some solid running and gritty attack play got the Bulldogs to within 5m of the Army line. But their efforts came to nothing as Gareth Slade Jones pounced on a Bulldogs dropped ball. On the forth tackle of the set, the ball was spun out wide to Gareth Lodge who found himself in unfamiliar territory on the wing quickly flicking the ball to Nico Pilitati who danced his way through the defence to score. 0 – 14.

Blackwood started to apply some pressure to the Army defence getting within Metres of the line on a couple of occasions, Blackwood looked certain to score when their Stand Off stepped through the gaps in the Army defence only to be halted inches from the line by Army Full Back Marcus Turaga.

Energised by their concrete defence a hard-hitting simple set making good yardage on each tackle was completed when winger Nico Pilitati ran through a shell shocked Bulldogs defence to score his second try which was successfully converted by Andy Gray. 0-18.

An excellent run for Army Rugby Union convert Paul Gittins made the initial ground , with 2 further strong runs setting the foundation for Gus Quasavakatini to cross over taking the score to 0 – 22.

On the stroke of half time Gus Quasavakatini crossed for his second try in 5 minutes after utilising disarray in the Blackwood defence caused by the hard runs from Max Vave, Paul Gittins and Buli Ligani, lighting speed play the balls and fast hands from the half backs. Half Time 0 – 26.

The second half kicked off as a monsoon downpour hit the welsh town, sending literally 10’s of spectators running for the cover of the stand. After a settling set for the Army, Blackwood looked to seize the initiative and utilise upon the conditions putting a testing up and under deep into the in goal area, which Nico Pilitati easily defused.

The Army almost made their first score of the second half when Gareth Slade Jones kicked and chased through only to knock on when he was collecting the ball. From the subsequent possession the Blackwood Hooker made a lightning run along the flank evading diving tackles from a horde of Army defenders to open the scoring 4 -26. A second try from Blackwood in quick succession took the score to 10 – 26.

Blackwood looked to have the Army on the back foot, their renewed vigour combined with the extremely wet conditions was causing errors which the Bulldogs were utilising. Bulldogs were playing their best football of the game and some excellent drop off play put #7 into a gap diving over the white wash for a converted try. 16 – 26.

Blackwood came within 4 points of the Army score when some fantastic passing out of contact led to a move which started on the half way resulted in a try under the posts, which was easily converted. 22 – 26.

The Army hit back with Mojee Matau powering over the line from a penalty in front of the posts, the conversion from Andy Gray taking the score to 22 – 32.

In the dying minutes of the game Paul Gittins, on his Army Rugby League debut, smashed his way over the line to increase the Army lead and seal their victory. 22 – 38.

Army Squad:
1. Marcus Turaga
2. Gus Quasavakatini
3. Mojee Matau
4. Paul Gittins
5. Nico Pilitati
6. Gareth Slade Jones (C)
7. Andy Gray
8. Marc Donnelly
9. Andy Parkin
10. Buli Ligani
11. Andy Evans
12. Joe Kava
13. Dave Kearns
14. Andy Kay
15. Sirano Veressa
16. Gareth Lodge
17. Max Vave
18. Stu Silvester
19. Jamie Laing
20. Mags Marangon
21. Joe Cavuilati