SOLODRAU Radianirova touched down at Twickenham as the Army pulled off an incredible comeback to beat the Royal Navy 43-42 in their Inter-Services opener on Saturday.

Things could not have started much worse for the Red Shirts as they fell 22-0 down thanks to tries from Jack Wright, Taunton Titans flanker Ratu Vakalutukali, William Rigelsford and Kristan Dobson, Jordan Gott knocking over a conversion.

Army No. 8 Senitiki Nayalo got his side on the scoreboard, but it was 29-5 at the interval after Wright doubled his tally and Gott added a second from the tee.

However, the Army came out of the blocks fast at the start of the second half, Nayalo with a second before Jack Johnson converted and scored one of his own.

The comeback continued as Ashley Horner rode over from the back of a maul, Johnson on target for 29-24, before Gott made it a two-score game with a penalty.

The Cornish Pirate then added to Dom Cleverly’s try as the Navy seemed to have control, but their opponents hit back as Nayalo completed his hat-trick and Johnson found the target.

Another Gott penalty made it 42-31, but the Army hit back in amazing fashion, Radianirova going under the post for a converted try before Newcastle Falcons wing Imi Qorowale snatched victory with a final-minute effort.

The Army take on the Royal Air Force at Gloucester’s Kingsholm Stadium on Saturday (3.15pm).

*Former Ram Iggy Putty started at scrum-half for the Army Masters as they lost 21-17 to the Navy Mariners on Friday night.

Ifereimi Vukinavanua gave the Army the lead before Robert Mitchell converted, Putty sin-binned before Ben Priddey got Navy on the board.

A James Elliott score added to by Paul Saberton gave the visitors a 12-7 lead, and he then hit back with a penalty after Mitchell had landed one.

Another three-pointer from Saberton nudged his side 18-10 up, but Chris Harris was on target after Vukinavanua doubled up to set-up a grandstand finish.

However, Saberton landed a 35-metre strike before his side saw out the contest to take a first IS crown since 2015.

*Picture by Alligin Photography