HACKETT RUNDLE CUP DAY

The Royal Navy sank a strong Army side in this year's Hackett Rundle Cup. With a half goal advantage and a quiet confidence about their own form they set about the task straight from the first chukka.

There was excellent team work, and in particular some fine play by Lt Cdr Wilson, which meant by the end of the first chukka the Army found themselves 1_ goals down. Despite their well-ordered play and three good chances in front of goal they failed to convert their chances.

The second chukka, however, did bring the Army reward with Capt Eeyre-Brook getting his name on the score sheet twice in quick succession, reversing the teams' fortunes by the half-time mark.

In the vital third chukka the Army pressed to extend their lead but a stubborn Royal Navy defence held firm. A wily counter-attack by Cdre Mason then put them back in the driving seat at 2_ to 2.

And that lead was extended through Sub Lt Suzuki - the Royal Navy's new secret weapon - with a wonderful 60 yard run and score.

The Army had high hopesof clawing back the deficit in the fourth and final chukka but like their barren third, once again they failed to find the flags.

Instead it was the Royal Navy who added to their tally, again through Wilson, to secure a 4_ to 2 victory..

Earlier in the afternoon the crowds watched the CSPA battle it out with theRepulic of South Africa Zulus teamfor the ICOA Troph, sponsored by DRS Technologies. This was the second match in the three-game Chapple Cup series with the tourists having a comfortable victory in the first round tie at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst two days earlier.

Having already found their stride the Zulus began the match as they intended it to go on, scoring two quick goals - although Capt Mann did make a reply for the CSPA.

In the second chukka, despite the close attention of Capt ffrench-Blake, the South Africans went on to score two more goals to leave the CSPA trailing 4-1 at half-time.

The Zulus upped a gear once more for the third chukka with some great play by van Eeden and Foster combining at 1 and 2 who found the flags twice more - and again the CSPA could only muster a solitary reply.

Any thoughts of a CSPA comeback in the fourth and final chukka were quickly extinguished. Although the CSPA added to their total so too did the Zulus to finish the match 9-3.

The victory ensured, even with one game still to play, that it would the Republic of South Africa on the Chapple Cup for 2010.