The UK Armed Forces pushed Wales to the limit in a thrilling, fiercely contested encounter, only to be edged out late on despite producing long spells of dominant rugby.
Wales struck first after just five minutes when Scotty Turner crossed and converted, but UKAF responded with real intent. James Simpson-Hill powered over for the Forces’ opening try, and although Tristan Norfolk was unable to convert, UKAF immediately turned up the pressure. Norfolk made amends moments later, grounding from the next set to put UKAF ahead.
The Forces thought they had extended their lead when former Wales international Martin Lane crossed, but play was called back for a forward pass. Simpson-Hill also went agonisingly close, tackled just short of the line. The pressure eventually told on 22 minutes when Norfolk stepped his way over, though the conversion again drifted wide.
Lane, who had been denied once already, finally got the try he deserved on 27 minutes following another strong attacking set. Norfolk’s luck with the boot didn’t improve as his conversion attempt struck the post, but UKAF were firmly in control. Wales searched for a response before the break, but Turner’s over-hit grubber was the closest they came as the Forces went into half-time with a well-earned 16–6 lead.
Wales came out firing after the restart. Turner was denied by superb last-ditch UKAF defence, but from the resulting tackle Stuart Williams broke through to score, Turner narrowing the gap further with the conversion. Wales then levelled when Jodie Boyd-Ward finished neatly in the corner after good work from Matthew Turner. Scotty Turner was off target with the conversion but slotted a penalty soon after to give Wales a narrow lead.
With 13 minutes remaining, UKAF almost hit back when Justin Wells was hauled down just before grounding, but the breakthrough finally came when Toby Burton-Carter spotted a gap and surged over. He converted his own try to restore the Forces’ advantage.
However, the decisive moment came six minutes from time. Turner again found space out wide to score for Wales and added the touchline conversion to put the hosts ahead.
There was late drama when Lane seemed to have reclaimed the lead for UKAF, only for the try to be ruled out for a knock-on, sealing a narrow and frustrating defeat in a match where the Forces gave everything.
The UKAF squad will look to bounce back early next year, with plans in place for a double-header against Wales featuring both Reserve and First Team fixtures. These matches will provide valuable preparation for Wales ahead of the World Cup, while giving the UK Armed Forces an ideal platform to sharpen their own squad as they build towards a potential tour of Australia.
