Samoa turn on the style

Backing up the challenge laid down by their Siva Tau, Samoa won the battle on the field and the hearts of the Kingsholm faithful with a stylish 66-25 win over the Combined Services on Wednesday.

It was a game that did credit to both sides.

The Services really took the game to the tourists in the opening stages, but were undone by the visitors' ability to finish off the chances that came their way.

A crowd of over 6,000 responded enthusiastically as both sides tried to move the ball around in bitterly cold conditions and were rewarded with a number of fine tries.

Once the Samoans found their stride, a famous scalp for the Services was never really on the cards but they deserve a lot of credit for the positive way they played the game even when they were trailing.

It was a strong opening for the Services side who were certainly up for the task in hand whereas the Samoans didn't appear to fancy the cold and damp conditions.

An early penalty from skipper Dave Pascoe after a strong run from wing Samesi Rokoduguni opened the scoring after five minutes.

Samoa hit back as they profited from a turnover in the Services 22. The two props linked out wide, Sinoti Sinoti came back on the angle and Iosefa Tekori spun out of a tackle to score.

Pascoe added a second penalty, but slick hands straight from the restart saw flank Misioka Timoteo take an offload from Dan Leo to add the second try and make the score 6-14 following Lui's second conversion.

The Samoans had warned up by now and, following a yellow card for March Cormack, another jinking run from Sinoti set up the position from which number eight Richard Muagutuia strolled over for the third and Lui's conversion into the teeth of the wind opened up a 6-21 lead.

Just as things were looking grim for the Combined Services, an error from Mikaele Pesamino in dealing with a grubber near his own line saw Greg Barden pounce on the loose ball to score. Pascoe converted and the Services were back into the game at 13-21.

Pesamino though promptly made up for the error as his gliding run down the blindside followed by a controlled chip saw the ball bounce kindly for wing Fautua Otto to score. Lui added the extras for 13-28 on the half hour.

With half-time approaching, Otto added a second. He received the ball in fortuitous fashion as a kind rebounded neatly into his arms but his step in and out to bamboozle the covering defender was sheer class. Lui had the simplest of conversions for 35-13.

Samoa made some changes at half-time but it didn't affect their momentum and another elusive break from Sinoti saw Falemiga Selesele score the sixth try before a turnover led to Pesamino weaving his way to the line for the seventh. Lui maintained his 100% record with both conversions.

Credit to the Combined Services, they'd taken some body shots in the opening few minutes of the half but had the courage and strength to hit back through their pack and force Samoa into conceding a penalty try after several five-metre scrums were collapsed.

However, the Samoans hit back immediately as an overthrown line-out saw the ball find Selesele who showed startling pace to outstrip everyone from his own 10m line and score. Lui curled home another fine conversion for 56-20.

Timoteo added his second from close range while Sinoti sprinted home from halfway as the Services tired in the latter stages although Lui's peerless kicking record ground to a halt as he missed two in a row to prove he was mortal off the kicking tee.

The Services managed to have the final word though as replacement James Reid tiptoed his way down the line to finish off a blindside break in some style.

With hypothermia rapidly becoming a real threat, referee Debney brought proceedings to a close with both sides thoroughly earning the standing ovation afforded them.

The scorers:

For the Combined Services:
Tries: Barden, Reid, Penalty try
Cons: Pascoe 2
Pens:  Pascoe 2

For Samoa:
Tries: Tekori, Timoteo 2, Muagutuia,  Otto 2, Selesele 2, Pesamino, Sinoti
Cons: Lui 8

Teams:

Combined Services XV: 15 Stuart Douglas, 14 Jon Marlin, 13 Peceli Nacamavuto, 12 Andrew Evans, 11 Samesi Rokoduguni, 10 Jack Prasad, 9 Dave Pascoe (captain), 8 Joe Kava, 7 Greg Barden, 6 Mark Lee, 5 Marsh Cormack, 4 Darrell Ball, 3 Ken Dowding, 2 Matt Dwyer, 1 Melvyn Lewis.
Replacements: 16 Ben Priddey, 17 Chris Budgen, 18 David Bates, 19 Damian Chambers, 20 Ian Martin, 21 Wayne John, 22 James Reid.

Samoa: 15 Mikaele Pesamino, 14 Fautua Otto, 13 Uarotafou Setu, 12 Jamie Helleur, 11 Sinoti Sinoti, 10 Lolo Lui (captain), 9 Junior Poluleluligaga, 8 Richard Muagututia, 7 Falemiga Selesele, 6 Misioka Timoteo, 5 Daniel Leo, 4 Chad Slade, 3 Logovii Mulipola, 2 Ti'i Paulo, 1 Simon Lemalu.
Replacements: 16 Mahonri Schwalger, 17 Naama Leleimalefaga, 18 Filipo Levi, 19 Afa Aiono, 20 Uale Mai, 21 Brando Vaaulu, 22 Gavin Williams.

Referee: Rob Debney (England)