Sweet victory for Army

The defending holders, who only met up as a squad the day before the competition kicked off, saw their title slip away to the all-conquering British Army after a thrilling event.

But despite the 40-28 defeat in the final, the players in the multi-colour shirts and socks received the plaudits of the crowd in their lap of honour for their entertaining style.

And the QSG, who had endeared themselves to the 15,000 cheering fans throughout the three-day event by throwing sweets into the crowd, have already vowed to be back next year.

The multi-talented squad - pieced together with local talent, Leeds Rhinos RL youngsters and up-and-coming stars - cruised through the early rounds, conceding just two tries in five games before the final.

"It was a magnificent performance. They just came on game by game," said QSG chairman Ricky Richardson.

"When we saw them in the first game, quite a few people were concerned, but I said just wait until we played Marauders. We absolutely demolished them.

"In the heat, the fitness of the lads was unbelievable. I thought the fitness of the Army would tell in the final, but it didn't.

"We were going through the mill on the side, not being able to get on and play ourselves. It was end-to-end stuff as well."

Guisborough Monks (42-0), Currie Chiefs (41-0) and old foes Marauders (24-5) all fell on the first day to the QSG, while Western Geco (24-0) and Christina Nobel 1sts (28-7) suffered similar fates in the quarter and semi-finals.

While QSG were sweeping all aside, their eventual conquerors almost came unstuck to the Global Fiji BaBas - a side containing a number of Fijian internationals - in their semi-final.

The BaBas were leading 19-17 at the final whistle, but the referee believed the score was 19-19 and made the sides play sudden-death extra time.

The Army seized their chance and slotted over a drop goal to win through. Fiji appealed, but to no avail.

"The Fiji captain was so incensed after the semi-final he came up to us firstly to get some socks but then to try and get on the bench for us to play against the Army," said Richardson. "We had to decline in the end, but he really wanted to play."

The Army, who romped to the Middlesex Sevens crown at the end of last season, made amends for their close shave by snatching victory over QSG 40-28.

"That points difference is not a true reflection, they got one try at the end - we were trying to attack and they got an interception and that was it," added Richardson.

Seasoned QSG campaigner Marcus Smith and talented Leeds Rhinos youngster Andy Kirk finished level on eight tries apiece for the tournament, while New Zealander Cory Burt proved a sensation with the boot.

The rest of the squad was made up of Jeff Alexander, Simon Mills, Chris Creber, Nick Tyson, Jan Bonney and Harvey Biljon, while Hugh McHardy was the coach. Ewan Dowes, another Leeds Rhinos recruit, pulled his hamstring after just one game.

The main tournament itself was won by the irrepressible New Zealanders, who under the guidance of former All Black legend Eric Rush, were never seriously troubled on their way to the title.

BEWARE of 'The Farmer' is the message to those who make the trip to Selby RUFC this season.

But before opposition sides start trying to pin-point a new star player at the club, The Farmer is a devastating penalty move.

With the 'Flying Wedge' - a cavalry charge-style move from tap penalty close to the try-line - now banned, Selby have come up with their own variation.

Although for obvious reasons the club do not want to give too much away about the move, 'The Farmer' sees the forwards exploit penalties close to the line with a more pedestrian version of the wedge, but equally effective.

The move has been used in Selby's last matches - ironically games which the club have both won - and resulted in tries for the Phillips brothers, Duncan and Wright.

YORK RUFC may have celebrated their biggest win of the season when they saw off the challenge of Beverley 37-15, but it was not without its cost.

Winger Rob Liddle left the field after only six minutes following a crunching tackle from team-mate Stuart Davies on Beverley's Steve Windler - who also left the field with a cut head.

Liddle needed a total of 15 stitches - ten external and five internal - while Windler, the man Davies was supposed to be tackling got away a little lighter, needing just five stitches.

Prop Andy Smith also left the field of play before the first half had finished after he broke his jaw in a tackle.

Coach Andy Gair said: "Andy may be a little lucky as the doctors have said he is unlikely to need an operation.

"Having said that though, he is still likely to be out until February or March and we, like every other club, are not overly blessed with front row cover."

WHO says rugby players are all rough and tough?

Four burley professionals at Harrogate RUFC showed their softer sides on Saturday when they received a full make-over from Hoopers.

First-teamers Ed Smithies, Mike Worden and Richard Wade joined Georgians player Chris Horner as they 'enjoyed' a facial scrub and shave, before being covered in a bronzing lotion.

They were then kitted out in the latest autumn/winter fashions from a top designer.

The make-over may have earned the lads a fair amount of stick, but it certainly paid dividends for the team as Harrogate ended their run of four straight defeats with a 25-16 victory over Nottingham.

Smithies even celebrated his new look with his fifth try of the season.

HARROGATE Ladies will take on a North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue XV on December 2 to help raise money for the North Yorkshire Air Ambulance Fund.

The firefighters will be slowed down by wearing full uniform, except helmets, while there will be plenty on for children, with Frances the Firefly and the unit's fire engines both present throughout the entire morning and afternoon (subject to calls). Fire crew will be on hand to show them round.

The game will be held at Claro Road and will kick-off at 2.30pm.

For more information, contact the club on (01423) 566966.

RIPON-BORN scrum-half Andy Brown has forced his way into the English National Divisions XV for the clash against South Africa 'A' on Wednesday ahead of former-Pocklington No 9 Charlie Harrison.

Holme-on-Spalding Moor youngster Harrison, who now plays for Rotherham, had been due to start in the match against Australia - and the world's best scrum-half George Gregan - only for a shoulder injury picked up in training to rule him out.

Brown, who is now plying his trade at Otley, has been called up to the squad in Harrison's place and will start the match on the bench.

The clash kicks-off at 8pm at Worcester's Sixways ground.

POCKLINGTON juniors enjoyed a fruitful time at the East Yorkshire Mini-Rugby Festival at Hull.

The club finished with one crown, one runners-up position and a semi-final defeat.

The Under-7/8s won the title on try countback after drawing 20-20 with Walkington in the final.

This system proved costly for the U10s, though, as they lost in the semi-finals on countback after drawing 0-0 with Driffield.

Meanwhile, the U12s were runners-up in their section after losing to Malton and Norton.

Updated: 11:37 Saturday, November 17, 2001