29 April 2017, 17:56
Army: Try – Bulumakau 2, Leathem. Cons – Dixon. Penalty – Dixon 4
Navy: Try – Priddey, Raumakita, Fairbrother Con – Rees. Penalty – Humphrey
The Army defeated the Navy 29-20 in the 100th meeting between the pair to win the Babcock Trophy while also winning the Inter Service Championship.

Having let a comfortable lead let slip in last year’s fixture this was redemption for the Army who sealed their 61st victory against the Navy in front of over 80,000 fans at Twickenham Stadium.

A first-half try from Junior Bulumakau and two penalties from James Dixon gave them an 11-3 lead at the break with Jonathon Humphrey kicking the Navy’s points.

Second-half tries from Chris Leathem and another for Bulumakau gave the Navy too much to do and despite Benjamin Priddey bundling over in between those scores the Army held a 13-point lead heading into the final 12 minutes.

Dixon sent over his third penalty to extend that advantage before Seta Raumakita scored the Navy’s second try of the game while David Fairbrother scored in added time.

Brilliant Bulumakau
The Army, boosted by England wing Semesa Rokoduguni in their ranks, made a bright start to the game with Dixon kicking the first points of the game after sustained pressure.

That was soon followed with the first try of the game with Glasgow Warriors and Scotland Sevens star Bulumakau diving over in the corner after the ball was recycled through the three-quarters to the right wing.

The Navy were on the board through the boot of Humphrey while their scrum half Gareth Rees was sent to the sin bin with eight minutes of the half remaining for dangerous play.

Dixon increased the score with his second penalty of the match but despite having a man advantage for the remaining eight minutes of the half it remained 11-3 at the break.

Blistering start to second half
The Army made a blistering start to the second half, Leathem stretching over after flying down the right wing.

The Navy had their first try of the game with 30 minutes remaining through captain Priddey who bundled over from close range and Rees’ conversion took the score to 16-10.

Bulumakau then lit up Twickenham with a superb individual try, handing off two tackles to squeeze over in the corner, for his second score of the game while Dixon added the extras.

Dixon kicked his 11th point of the game with 12 minutes remaining before landing a monster penalty for 29-10.

Navy fightback
The Navy made a spirited finish to the game with Raumakita powering through three Army tackles to charge over in the corner.

He was denied another in the final minute by a superb tackle from Bulumakau but it was the Navy who had the final say as Fairbrother crashed his way over.

However, it was not enough to stop them losing their Inter Service Championship title.

'It's the greatest feeling ever'
“It’s always a massive honour to be part of this game and I thank the guys for helping me get over the line twice,” said man-of-the-match Bulumakau.

“I’ve been a soldier and in the army I’ve grown up watching this fixture so to score a try like that in front of 80,000 people is the greatest feeling ever.

“It’s even more special to have won the 100th fixture between the two sides and hopefully people will remember this result for a long time. To get the man of the match is the icing on the cake.”

Attendance: 81,577