Clash of the Cross-Channel Colleges

BRNC triumphed 22-15 over École Navale in a thrilling clash. Despite an early French lead, BRNC’s power game surged ahead, building a strong lead. École Navale fought back late, but BRNC held firm to lift the Trafalgar Cup.

On a beautifully sunny South Devon Saturday in Dartmouth the scene was set for the first of several cross-channel rivalries in the coming weeks. As a taster for the main event on 2 April between the Senior Men’s and Senior Women’s XV matches against their RCMN French counterparts in Portsmouth, BRNC took on their old rivals from École Navale.

Both sides are working towards and raising funds for a potential trip of a lifetime to take part in an International Naval College rugby tournament to be held later this year in Japan.

A large crowd made up of the Senior Officers including RNRU President, Vice Admiral Burns CB OBE RN, Capt Jim Lovell RN, BRNC Cadets, players families and friends, Britannia Association members and guests were treated to a great game, a close scoreline and two teams with contrasting but equally effective playing styles.

BRNC had the size advantage and used their forwards and centres to break holes in the French defence creating overlaps to score. École Navale defended very bravely, and their back row trio got through mountains of work trying to stop the BRNC power game.

In contrast the French team ran the ball at every opportunity and looked to off load in almost every tackle to keep the forward momentum going. Their determination eventually paid off with 2 excellent team tries from long distance later in the last quarter (the match was split into 4 x 20-minute quarters).

As well as scoring the final points of the day they also scored the first with a well taken penalty to nudge into a 0 - 3 early lead. However, BRNC soon got into their stride and after some powerful carries they worked the ball wide to full back AB Sheen to score the first of his two tries in relatively close succession. With one conversion attempt going wide and the second hitting the crossbar, the score at the end of Q1 was BRNC 10 – 3 École Navale.

With the BRNC scrum dominant throughout, they added to the score in the second quarter with fly half OC White adding the extras.

HT BRNC 17 – 3 École Navale

More powerful play in Q3 saw openside flanker OC Little score after some great interplay by the home side, making the score 22 - 3 going into the last period.

Whether it was the BRNC side starting to tire a little or the French team having a bit more luck making the offloads stick, the visitors scored 2 long range tries from 60m plus with some great half breaks and deft offload passes. The first was finished off by the reserve front row and the second in the last minute by the right winger. With one of the tries converted the score was 22 - 15 with seconds to play.

The French team received the kick off and again set off down the field looking for what could have been a remarkable attempt at levelling the scores. However, it wasn’t to be and some furious tackling from BRNC saw the game out.

FT BRNC 22 – 15 École Navale

A superb, well organised occasion in perfect conditions, played in great spirit ended with the RN taking the spoils. OC Kelly, the winning captain of the BRNC team, was presented with the Trafalgar Cup by Admiral Burns.

If this was l'entree, for those of you wanting to watch the plat principal between the Senior teams and their French colleagues, it will take place on Wednesday 2 April at Havant RFC.

The Senior Women kick off at 1645 with the Senior Men following at 1900.

BRNC: McDonald, Tant, Harber; Relton, Kelly; Singleton-Kelly (C), Little, Tremaine; Bones, White, Anderson, Brown, Palmer, Findlay, Sheen.

Replacement: Byrne, Southern, O’Neill, Deeks, Fiddes, Kelly, Gay, Simpson.

Words by P Clark

Images by P Clark