The men's and women's Australian Army Rugby League teams clashed with the Sawtell Panthers in Bellingen, NSW, for the annual Sergeant Matthew Locke MG charity match.
While the match brought the men's Army Thunder to Bellingen for the 18th year, the women's Army Lightning were on debut.
The annual match celebrates the service and memory of Sergeant Matthew Locke, a Bellingen-born Special Air Service Regiment soldier and recipient of the Medal of Gallantry, who was killed while on deployment in Afghanistan in 2007.
Despite spirited performances from both teams, Lightning was defeated 22-6 and Thunder defeated 42-6 by the Sawtell Panthers.
President of Australian Army Rugby League Colonel Matt Stevens said the annual match was a great way to commemorate the life of a fallen Australian soldier, but also create a deeper connection between Army and the community.
"Joining with the community to celebrate the life of a local hero through a sport he loved is a great way to honour his memory and promote the importance of mateship through sport," Colonel Stevens said.
"As a growing side, we are also absolutely thrilled to have the women's team - the Army Lightning - join us in 2026, showcasing the strength and growing interest in women's rugby league across Australia.
"While the result didn't go our way, our soldiers represented Army values with pride in the community they serve, and contributed to the strong attendance and impressive donations to charity made by locals who turned out to watch."
Participation in the Locke Shield squad supports selection for representation in the Interservice Rugby League Competition and the ADF Rugby League clash against the New Zealand Defence Force team on Anzac Day.
