CSSC Wales vs CSSC England Match Report

Marking 100 years since the Welsh and English Civil Service teams first met at the CAP stadium, this was a game routed in history and tradition. Both teams are indebted to those at CSSC who made the event possible, the Welsh Rugby Union refereeing team, and the Cardiff Arms Male Voice Choir, whose pre-match performance set the tone for a memorable day of Rugby.

CSSC England fused a well-organised game plan with the familiar Barbarians ‘jouer’ playstyle, to give their Welsh counterparts an enthralling test.

The opening stages belonged to CSSC Wales with a penalty and converted try to take the score to 10 - 0 in the early stages. Led on the day by captain Angus Collie, England showed fight to take the lead following well-worked tries by Luke Halford, Pete Morris, and club captain, Ash Robinson. The assured boot of Ryan Nauth kept the scoreboard ticking.

The two teams exchanged blows throughout the half, and the score board read 21 - 20 to Wales at the break.

The Welsh entertained the Cardiff crowd with more exciting Rugby in the second half and wrestled their way to a commanding lead. There was no let-up from the English side, however, who showed togetherness and grit to stay in the competition, adding a further try and penalty goal to their tally.

A game littered with tries, injuries, big hits, and side-steps; it will live long in the memories of all involved. Final score: Wales 51, England 26.

Congratulations to the Men of the Match, Pete Norris (England), and Josh Griffiths (Wales).