RN Play it Smart Against the Academicals

In perfect conditions on a crisp evening in Plymouth, the RN Women’s Development XV took the field against a Plymouth Academicals side taken from players from Peninsula Medical School, University of Plymouth, and Marjon University. A packed grandstand at Plymouth Albion’s Brickfields stadium were treated to a full-blooded contest between two unyielding teams.

An interesting dynamic presented itself at kick off as both teams took to the field in near identical playing kits. Both teams had white shirts and dark shorts which made identifying which team was which difficult from the referee’s perspective let alone the crowd. At close quarters it was a little easier as the RN team had a pink/ purple hue to the front of their jerseys. The ‘Accies’ team also had white numbers on white shirts so identifying players was also tough.

However, there were no such difficulties once the game started with both teams tearing into each other from the kick off. The large crowd bearing witness to some hard ball carrying runs from both sides which were met with arguably even harder tackles from both defences. The commitment shown was fantastic with the RN getting the early chances and scoring two early tries in the 7^th and 12^th minutes, one out wide and one closer to the sticks. With one conversion added by No. 10 Sam Alderson it was an early 0 - 12 lead to the RN. This lead stayed until the half time break with scoring opportunities limited due to committed defence and a few handling errors creeping in.

HT Plymouth Academicals 0 - 12 RN Women’s Development XV

Shortly after the restart the Accies team put together some phases of play and following a decent set piece move off a scrum they went under the RN posts to register the first score of the second half. With the conversion good it set up the rest of the half with the crowd anticipating a close contest. This proved to be the case and the next score wasn’t to arrive for another 20 minutes as the two teams cancelled each other out defensively. The score went to the RN after a very strong carry by their flanker Tee Tuvou who broke several tackles on her way to the line.

The RN weren’t done with that and backed it up with a second score with about 10 minutes left on the clock. A quick tap penalty was taken following a breakdown offence and the resulting try gave the Navy a buffer of 7 - 22.

That was to be the final score of the game and the large crowd showed their appreciation for the efforts of both teams at the final whistle.

FT Plymouth Academicals 7 - 22 RN Women’s Development XV

The rumour on the night was that this game was to be the last game in an RN shirt for both Team Captain and prop Gemma Flowers and fly half Sam Alderson. If this is correct, then we all thank them for all their years wearing the blue shirt and wish them all the best in their retirement from RN rugby.

RN Women’s Dev XV: G Flowers(C), F Moore, R Staples; R Dilmore, O Fifita; T Tuvou, E Brightwell, K Bark; J Parnaby, S Alderson (VC), K Carty*, H Parkinson, M Parsons*, E Turnham, S Hill.

Replacements: M Law, J Shaw, S Kelly, B Lewington, G Davidson*, O Cunningham*, O Farrell*, J Banks, R Dixon.

* Denotes new to Navy Rugby

Words by P Clark

Images by J Hulm