England Universities made it three in a row for President’s Cup titles after coming from behind and being made to work for their win against UK Armed Forces in Round 3 of the 2025 competition.
Following previous results, both sides were tied on points difference, making Wednesday's meeting a winner takes all encounter and those in attendance at Halton Farnworth Hornets were treated to a great contest.
It took just three minutes for Myles Mason to dive into the right hand corner to open the scoring for the Forces, with Michael McDonald adding a towering conversion from the touchline.
England were next to break the arm wrestle as Jake Dickinson spectacularly dived to beat his opposite number to ground the ball millimetres from the touch-in-goal line to get England off the mark, with Fin Balback calmly adding the conversion to level.
From the kick off, captain Leon Stewart shrugged off defenders to race in under the posts to put the Students ahead, with Balback’s conversion a formality.
Both sides battled it out in the midfield, with the Forces building enough pressure to give Nathan Barker the opportunity to barge through at the line under the posts, giving McDonald another easy shot on goal to bring them level.
The balance swung again the way of the Forces as Cam Lees burrowed his way through as half-time beckoned, although McDonald failed to find his mark with the kick. McDonald was on target from the halfway line on the stroke of half time as Jake Dickinson was penalised for a high shot, giving the Forces a six point lead at the break.
Harry Lowery showed England the way two minutes into the second half, crashing through under the posts, giving Balback another easy kick to level the game.
England hit a purple patch of defence allowing them to build consistent pressure which allow Elliot Martin to hit the ball at pace scythe in, shortly followed by James Leach taking Danny Salkeld’s pass to widen the gap, with Balback maintaining his 100% record with both.
Things soured just after the hour mark as James Ray was sent from the field for punching as he took offence to a robust tackle and in the next set England half-back Charlie Yeomans scorched past the 12-man forces to add a further England try, with Balback again on target.
With their backs to the wall, the Forces drew on their experience and doubled up their intensity, setting up Jamie Teixera to crash through at line, with McDonald adding the extras to narrow the gap to 12 points.
With five minutes to go, Harry Lowery posted a carbon copy of his earlier try to put the game beyond doubt for the students, Balback adding his seventh successive kick of the night.
However the final word went to UK Armed Forces, with TJ Richardson bagging a late consolation, with McDonald’s kick also on target.
The trophy was presented by Martin Coyd OBE, one of the Rugby Football League’s Directors and one of the leading lights in Rugby League being accepted as a recognised sport in the British military.
England Universities:
Fin Balback, Jake Dickinson, Dan Perry, Leon Stewart, Deusjes Nzage, Charlie Yeomans, Ben Grindley-Roberts, Harry Lowery, Jamie O’Keeffe, Freddie Smith, Teddy Davidson, Isaac Coleman, Alex Ringshall.
Interchanges: Will Lintin, Danny Salkeld, James Leach, Elliot Martin, Ben Bell-Thorn, Oli Winterbottom
Tries: Jake Dickinson (12), Leon Stewart (14), Harry Lowery (42, 75), Elliot Martin (51), James Leach (57), Charlie Yeomans (63)
Goals: Fin Balback 7/7
UK Armed Forces:
Kieran Prescott, Harry Vorweg, Joey Sugden, Cam McDonald, Myles Mason, Eli Steinberlt, Cam Lees, Sam Roberts, Michael McDonald, Jack Ray, TJ Richardson, James Teixera, Nathan Barker.
Interchanges: James Crabb, Louis Fraser, Adam Hooper, Josh Konobiau.
Tries: Myles Mason (3), Nathan Barker (21), Cam Lees (36), Jamie Teixera (68), TJ Richardson (79)
Goals: Michael McDonald 5/6
Sent Off: Jack Ray (62) - Punching
Half Time: 12-18
Full-time: 42-30
Referee: Ollie Maddock
