Combined Services 7:6 Australian Combined Services

November 2003 – Craven Park Hull

A late drop goal from GB Services No 7 Scot Partis saw the home side scrape a narrow Victory over their Australian counterparts. Played at Craven Park home of Hull Kingston Rovers the match was the final fixture of the Australians three-match tour to Great Britain.

Torrential rain in the days leading up to the match combined with a cold swirling wind meant the match was never going to be pretty as both sides tried their best to open up the game and play attractive Rugby. The first score of the match did not happen until the 20 minute mark when a high kick was allowed to bounce by GB Winger Lee Innes only for opposition centre to snatch the ball and cross for the games only try. The conversion attempt from the touchline by Cameron Earea fell just short to give the visitors a 4-0 lead. The Australians did extend their lead seven minutes later when a penalty was awarded for ball stealing; this time second rower Adam Wallace took the points with a fine penalty goal. The last period of play before the break saw the Australians dig deep to preserve their lead as wave upon wave of attacks threatened their line. For all their efforts the GB side could only manage a Lee Innes penalty to leave the score at 6-2 in favour of the visitors at half –time. The second half began where the first half finished with the GB side taking the game to the Aussies and trying to open the game up. Despite their superiority, great defence and vital handling errors kept the GB side from scoring the vital try. The Australians became their own worst enemies by conceding two more penalties, which Lee Innes slotted over to bring the scores, level at 6-6. Both sides now put everything into the last period of the game to claim the win but it was not until the 76th minute that Scott Partis got himself into position and coolly landed the winning drop goal.

A terrific effort by both sides to overcome the conditions and play entertaining Rugby. The result meant that the Aussies went home with a win, a draw and a defeat in their three match series and the GB Services side claimed the historic win in the first ever game of its kind to take place.

The Result had special significance for The Lord Mayor Of Hull, Ken Branson, as the winning drop goal was scored by a former West Hull Player Scot Partis. Even more pleasing for the Mayor himself a former Chief Petty Officer in the Royal Navy, was that Scot is in the Navy and is part of the same branch as the he was during his time in the service.

UK Armed Forces Rugby League