The Royal Marines were bowled over last week by Beachley's 1st Battalion of The Rifles (1 RIFLES) as they continued to reign triumphant in the Royal Marines' annual 3 Commando Brigade rugby tournament.

Eight teams, seven of which were drawn from the Royal Marines, competed on 6th September at Sandy Park Stadium, the home of the Exeter Chiefs, in the hope of claiming the much coveted Argyll Bowl.

The 1 RIFLES team were victorious in three heats of the tournament, finally beating The Royal Marines Barbarians in a close match that ended 16-10. The Rifles' tries were scored by Rifleman Maqa and Rifleman Nacagilevu with kicks skilfully placed by Captain Jaime Edwards.

1 RIFLES have been invited to play in the tournament three times in the last few years, only missing out on taking part in last year's competition because of the Battalion's six-month tour of Afghanistan. Having also recently left for a training exercise in Kenya, the Beachley-based Rifles narrowly avoided missing out on play for a second year.

The victorious Battalion drew against 42 Commando Brigade in 2009 and won against The Combat Logistics Regiment in 2010. They have now retained their title in 2012 after beating the Royal Marines Babarians in front of a busy stadium.

The Argyll Bowl was presented to 1 RIFLES team captain, Captain Sam Branston, pictured on page 44, by Brigadier Edward Davies DSO.

Captain Branston said: "1 RIFLES rugby is in good health. It has been really encouraging to see a mix of new and old players developing into a team that seems to know how to win games, in particular the important ones.

"Any contest against our Royal Marine counterparts is always a hard fought battle and this was no different with both teams taking chunks out of each other from the kick off with plenty of pride and history at stake.

"I was really proud of the Riflemen for grinding out another Argyll Bowl success- we are now unbeaten in three campaigns."

"A great start to the Army Rugby Union Premiership season and a very enjoyable victory. Swift and Bold."

The team captain added this win to an exciting, if not tiring week, having welcomed his first child Jasper into the world only the night before the game.