SOLODRAU Radiniarivoa’s Army side took the bragging rights in narrow fashion as they held off Sam Boxhall and Royal Air Force 38-31 at Kingsholm on Saturday.

Solo switched to his usual club position of outside centre having scored from full back against Navy a fortnight before, but his team fell behind to an early Mark Williams penalty.

However, former England international Semesa Rokodoguni raced down the left wing for a brilliant individual score before RAF regained the lead as James Roberts burrowed over from close range.

No. 8 Senitiki Nayalo grabbed Army’s second before Rokodoguni doubled up with an equally brilliant burst, Bedford Blues’ back row Nayalo then completing his brace.

With two Jack Johnson conversions added the Red Shirts led 24-10 at the interval, and they extended their advantage with a Matt Dawson seven-pointer.

The Air Force refused to yield, however, and two converted tries of their own from Kieron Prescott and Jacob Seddon reduced the deficit to seven points.

Rokoduguni finished a wonderful hat-trick as Army pulled clear again, and despite Zack Taylor giving the Light Blues late hope, it proved merely a consolation.

*Picture by Alligin Images