It Was a Right Old Game of Two Halves

‘It Was a Right Old Game of Two Halves’: never has the much used and abused football commentator’s cliché of the 80s and 90s been more apt in describing a sporting occasion than for the match between the RN U23s and Devonport Services RFC at the Rectory this past Wednesday evening.

The large crowd that filled the clubs grandstand were treated to a thriller of a game consisting of 11 tries with both sides determined to play an expansive game while still sticking to well drilled processes and phases of play.

However, no one who sat through the first 40 minutes of action would or could have predicted what would unfold in the second stanza in what nearly resulted in a comeback for the ages.

In their 3rd warm up fixture prior to the upcoming Inter Services, which the RN will be super keen to wrestle back after being back-to-back champions previously, they were fantastically hosted by the newly promoted English National League 2 and RNRU affiliated club, Devonport Services RFC.

The hosts hit the ground running, and running hard and straight at that, making metres and metres after contact which the RN struggled to deal with by either falling off tackles or not putting in double hits. This allowed Services to flood through holes made by initial line breaks and work their offload game to devastating effect. Before the RN had even touched the ball in anger, they were 28 - 0 down with only 26 minutes played (albeit one of the tries was a 50m interception). Services backs and forwards were enjoying themselves and the strength in depth and class of the National League side shone through.

There were odd glimpses of the Navy’s attacking game, particularly down the left flank (more of which to follow) but numerous handling errors in the misty rainy conditions would not have helped the rising blood pressure of the RN coaching and management team.

A fifth converted try, scored by Services scrum half after a quick tap and go penalty on the RN 22m line rubbed salt into the wounds and left the young Navy side looking at an insurmountable scoreline at the break.

HT DSRFC 35 - 0 RN U23s

Now, those of us sitting in the grandstand having witnessed that first 40 minutes would be forgiven for thinking that the second half would be a case of damage limitation for the Navy at best, and Lord knows what at worst.

However, whatever was said by coaches Ben Priddey, Craig Duncan and guest coach Ed Pascoe at the half time break certainly did not fall on deaf ears and the team threw themselves into the second half in a manner which barely surfaced in the first. Abrasive hard hits were made on the tackle line, rucks were competed for and passes and offloads reached their intended targets often.

Not 2 mins had passed since kick off when some great running and offloading skills saw left wing Jack Cross dot down in the far-left hand corner, which for the next 40 minutes would become a magnet for the ball and the RN’s offensive efforts.

With the wind slightly in their favour and Services discipline slipping, the next two tries were carbon copies of each other. Two kicks to the left corner from the boot of Navy flyhalf George Edson, two well taken catch and drives, one a monster from the 22m line and two tries for hooker Jack Wright. With one of 3 conversion efforts from the touchline slotted the score was now 35 - 17 and a miraculous comeback was brewing.

Depending on which team you were supporting the crowd then got even more anxious or amazed as the RN went in again on the 70-minute mark. A great period of play involving line breaks, offloads and clear-outs was rewarded in yet another try in the far-left hand corner for Jack Cross. The conversion from wide out was again expertly slotted by Edson to make the score 35-24 in the final stages.

However, the miracle wasn’t to happen as Services finally got their hands on the ball and went through a mass of phases to score arguably the try of the night.

But the last laugh would go to the team in Blue as the Navy built up a final period of pressure resulting in a try just before the final whistle, scored by Jo Patterson in the same corner as the other four.

FT DSRFC 40-29 RN U23s

An interesting one for the RN coaches and management to pick apart in the coming week before the team travel to Brixham for next Wednesdays clash against ‘The Fishermen’ at Astley Park. Lots to work on from the first half and lots to be very proud of from the second half…who would be a coach!

Head coach Ben Priddey said, “This week's training has been successful, we have managed to look at a few new players and brought in some more structure. The game was tough against some experienced Devonport services players, but the lads stood up and especially in the 2nd half. Pleasing to see the lads come out firing the 2nd half and some really good performances within the squad.”

U23s: A Einchcomb (C), J Wright, A McMillan; T Horne, T Ashton; M Fulwell, H Friswell, L Clayton (VC); R Owen, G Edson, L Warren, J Davis, H Brown, H Johnson, F Elliott (VC).

Replacements: J Patterson, L Evans, S Brittle, J Turnham, B Smitj, C Williams, C Hancock, S Broadman, K Barclay, Z Johns, J Cross, N Anderson, C Collins, S Javes.

Words by P Clark

Images by Jarrad Hulm