Army win to become Inter-services champions

The Army became 2018 Inter-Services champions at the LD Nutrition Stadium in Featherstone on Friday.

Comprising of three back to back matches, Academy, Ladies and First XIII, it was the Army who drew first blood in a bad tempered affair, easily beating the RAF 6-46 to clinch the Academy title, having beaten the Navy the previous week.

This was hotly followed by the Ladies, and again the Army looked on top form leading 6-26 at the break, and playing down the slope in the second half. The game ended 6-48 and once again, the Army Ladies were inter-service champions.

One interested spectator was former Salford player, and serving member of the RAF, Jordan Andrade, hoping to see the home side keep alive their hopes of a trophy.

As it was, the Army once again took an early hold on proceedings, heading into an 0-14 lead by the break.

The RAF looked like a big, well drilled unit, but seemed unable to take advantage of the slope, and were made to pay after falling off a number of tackles.

The RAF were first to score in the second half, converting a try, but the Army soon hit back to stretch the lead to 6-20, a lead they continued to extend, as the slope began to work in their favour.

The Army certainly looked the more nimble of the sides, and time and again were able to out play their Airmen counterparts, and run in tries seemingly at will.

When the final hooter sounded, it was time for the Army to celebrate becoming Inter-Service champions for the first time in five years, with a well fought 6-42 win.