Navy Rugby Bahrain Walk Away with the Silverware

On a hot March evening in down-town Saar, Bahrain, the Royal Navy Rugby Bahrain Team found itself embarking on a quest to be crowned Bahrain Rugby 10’s Champions for the first time in RN history. With limited workforce resources and even less time together, the 16 men were intent on putting in a performance the King would be proud of. The team was as diverse as it was new. Strong representation from the sea going units, HMS CHIDDINGFOLD, HMS MIDDLETON, HMS BANGOR and RFA CARDIGAN BAY all contributed. The call for personnel was also heeded by MTFG, UKNSF and IMSC. All making vital contributions to ensure ‘a great rugby day’.

Three of Bahrain’s best 10’s teams were on their own quest to deliver silverware for their respective trophy cabinets. The deceptively named Golden Oldies were the bookies favourites. Made up of a spritely bunch of American service personnel and local Ex-pats they had the envious benefit of playing together on a weekly basis. The Barbarians, a mash-up of Saudi Arabian rival team, Khobar, and willing volunteers on the night, were the underdog team that looked set to cause an early upset. Finally, a team of men, boys and boys who looked like men, the Colts. The Colts were the dark horse team of the tournament. Playing them came with instruction to go easy, an instruction that increasingly appeared more like a tactic than a genuine statement of concern.

Having proven the ability to catch, pass and run the Navy were chomping at the bit to commence battle. However, they would have to wait at least 20 more minutes as the tournament opener was the intriguing matchup of The Colts Vs The Golden Oldies. Watching on from the sidelines with interest, keen to learn more about their competitors, the Navy were expecting a close fought encounter with plenty of skills on offer. However, what they got was an exposé in demolition. A bloodbath ensued as the Colts butchered the tournament favourites, The Golden Oldies 49-0 in a game that blew the competition wide open. Excited apprehension gripped the Navy on the final whistle and mindsets engaged as the 10 chosen men took to the field to play their first game of the night.

Led by Cardigan Bay favourite and Captain for the day, Paddy Dowds, the team were quietly confident they could put in a winning performance against the Barbarians. The encounter was a step up in physicality and a step back in skill compared to the previous game. As a result, a closer spectacle was on display making great viewing for the hundreds of people in the grand stands. A fine team effort in the first half ensured a 14-5 lead. The second half was a thrilling backs to the wall slug fest with hard hits going in more regularly than a lumberjacks cutting tool. The final plays of the game were spent camping on the Navy 5m line, digging in to defend their lead from the advancing enemy. Nothing could separate the teams in the second half with 7 points scored a piece and Navy eventual 14-19 winners.

With less than 5 minutes between fixtures, the next match for the Navy Invitational side was against the Golden Oldies. The importance here was to put the previous result out of mind and focus on the game at hand. After a closely contested first half the Navy proved to be too strong and put in an excellent second half performance resulting in 48-0 winners. Notable performance from lock forward Marine Rob Boyt who contributed to the comfortable win.

During the tournament, opposition teams were succumbing to the intense nature of the play and its physicality. A fine team effort in the first half ensured a 14-5 lead. A good start but a larger cushion was desired. The second half was a thrilling backs to the wall slug fest with hard hits going in. The final plays of the game were spent camping on the Navy 5m line, digging in to defend their lead from the advancing enemy. Nothing could separate the teams in the second half with 7 points scored a piece and Navy eventual 14-19 winners.

With the pleas of the coach to go easy fading into the background the most anticipated game of the tournament got underway. Tensions were high as blows were exchanged; Marine Evry was proving his usual nuisance and getting under the skin of his opposition. Almost to his demise as the Colts 14 (age, not position) put in a masterful display of submission by over powering the more experienced Marine. Despite the fiery affair, the Navy players kept their heads and eventually ran out 38-7 winners. Lessons learnt for the Colts and silverware earnt for the Navy.

POPT Stocker, Team Manager said, “What a fantastic day and superb win for a team which was pulled together last minute. A plethora of talent was displayed by all. Overall great experience for the RN players whilst forward deployed on operations and great opportunity to conduct PDev on the front line. A fierce battle on the field with great friendships made on completion. The team now look to come together on a weekly basis to build on team cohesion and set plays on the field, all in preparation for up-and-coming fixtures in April.”

Words by Alex Stocker

Images by Alex Stocker