Academy Too Hot to Handle for Hawks

On the 4th October 24, the Royal Navy Academy took part in the first of two academy level inter-service games against the RAF Hawks. These fixtures are to develop players that are on the edge of breaking into the senior set up as well as players developing from U23s and Command level (RM, FAA, Regions) squads. This is always an exciting game showing the talent that is coming through for both services.

This is a friendly fixture but also a similar intensity and rivalry as the Inter Service Champs. The Royal Navy Academy is classed as a community level team and as such isn't recognised as a proper Inter Service game. However, that doesn't take anything away from the fixture and its purpose to develop players further.

The Royal Navy Academy have played the RAF Hawks every year since the Covid ban on sport was lifted. During these 4 years the RNRU AXV have won all the fixtures. Despite this the fixture often sees a fair number of points scored delivering an exciting spectators’ fixture. Having players from all levels of rugby across the two services it is a great opportunity to see a blend of new and old, experienced, and raw talent take to the field.

The Royal Navy and the RAF Hawks shared 10 tries between both teams, the first of which came from the Royal Navy with swift hands from George Edson which allowed Captain – Harry Wright to score under the posts.

The Hawks fought back soon after with a driving maul which proved too much for the Navy pack.

The Navy second try came from Josh Korobiau as he broke the line and with quick feet found himself dotting down under the posts. A quick tap penalty from the Hawks just 5 minutes from the restart resulted in a try under the posts. Gaining momentum and once again from a driving maul the RAF pack drove back the Royal Navy with their openside flanker breaking off and carving through the Navy defence.

Just before Half Time saw the try of the match. Jerry Fifita who was brought on 5 minutes before the half ended. A quick turn over in the Navy half found Fifita with ball in hand running the length to score under the posts. Going into the second half the Navy led 19 - 14.

During the break Coach Dec Johnson made a couple substitutions, bringing on some muscle in the back line.

The fourth try came from some simple yet effective hands picking off the back-peddling RAF backline with Tui Vadra diving in the corner to score. The Hawks were blowing but didn't bow down and accept their fate, with some quick hands they sliced through the Navy defence 5 metres from the try line to score.

The Navy had the final say though, with Seb Boardman collecting an offload breaking off the back of a scrum to dive under the posts ending the game at 38 - 22 to the Royal Navy.

Academy XV: H Wright (C), A O’Brian, D Gallon; G Star, C Dalkins; C Kerr, C Goldsmith, A Wakefield; R Hume, G Jenkins, R Daughtery, A Perry, C Black, D Jones, J Korobiau.

Replacements: C Postle, E Milfield, L Sutton, D Scoot, Z Johns, L Tomlinson, T Ashton, S Hampson, R Orr Burns, E Tabaka, J Fifita, T Vadra, S Naulivou, M Coopey, S Boardman.

Words by L Cador

Images by E Gaught