Seahawk Shuts Out Sultan

Wednesday night rugby returned to HMS Sultan for their first round fixture against HMS Seahawk.

This was always going to be an unknown performance from the Sultan team who have been through a recruitment drive by players and coach (who also delivers grassroots rugby session to the trainees). With a mixture of staff and students, this was the first time they had played 80 mins as a team and expertly captained by Muir. 

Seahawks long journey to the south coast certainly did not affect their performance which was always expected to be excellent with a vast wealth of experience against the youth (mostly) of the Sultan team.

A gentlemen’s agreement between both front rows prior to kick off certainly made the fixture more entertaining for all both verbally and physically.

Seahawk took first blood on the scoreboard after 10 minutes of hard work and a Sultan team who were settling in to playing as a team and a few penalties gave Seahawk the upper hand.

Sultan began to play as a team and saw them gaining ground and set pieces working. The penalty count switched to the Seahawk side which saw Sultan being awarded a penalty try.

Heads raised from the Sultan team and confidence grew. An early injury worryingly saw Sultain's Retter removed from the pitch and the youthful Griffin step up in the 9 position. Once Griffin found his confidence the crowd and teams certainly saw him grow in stature and performance.

Another try to Seahawk before half time did not dampen the spirit of Sultan however the physicality of the first half took it toll on a few, with some key changes made.

Second half saw Seahawk quickly increase the gap on the score board and after a few motivational chats from the coach and key players saw the Sultan team back in the fight with a thirst for more points on the board which was achieved.

Huge thank you to Seahawk for making the long trip up, as usual the post match was as entertaining as the match. Good luck in the rest of the Navy Cup. Thank you to Sultan sports bar for the post match hospitality and of course not forgetting RNRU referee society for providing the match official.

Sultan prepare to go again with a local derby in the next Navy cup fixture against HMS Collingwood 13 Feb 24.

Final Score HMS Sultan 43 - HMS Seahawk 19

HMS Sultan:
Tries: Nixon, Greenland, penalty try; Conversion: Muir

HMS Seahawk:
Tries: Daughtery (x2), Black, Rogerson, Newcombe, Jones, Belcher;  Conversions: Carter (x4)

Words by L Osman