Lightning Force Strike Twice before Half Time to Win Navy Cup

RAF Marham stormed to a commanding 45 - 13 victory over HMS Queen Elizabeth (QNLZ) to lift the Navy Cup in emphatic fashion. Despite QNLZ's early dominance in enemy territory, the Bulls' firepower and clinical finishing proved too much to handle as they ran in six tries to secure the silverware.

QNLZ made an assertive start, pinning Marham deep in their own half and applying pressure in the early exchanges. Their territorial advantage was rewarded when Joe Spence coolly slotted a penalty after a series of crunching tackles led by Charlie Carr forced a Marham infringement. But it was the Bulls who landed the first major blow—flanker Mike Fulwell bursting through the Carrier’s defensive line with a powerful run, setting up inside centre Toby Dutton to crash over for the opening try. Ryan Cliff added the extras, putting Marham ahead 7 - 3.

QNLZ responded well, maintaining possession, and forcing another penalty, which Spence confidently dispatched to bring his side within a single point. However, the Bulls were just getting started. Marham’s attacking intent grew as the half wore on, and another incisive break from the ever-dangerous Fulwell carved open the QNLZ defence, allowing Adam Potter to dart over for the Bulls' second try. The momentum was wholly with Marham, and it wasn’t long before Ryan Cliff demonstrated his individual brilliance—chasing down his own kick, gathering, and finishing with aplomb before converting his own score. Marham went into the break with a commanding 19 - 6 lead, their dominance shining through.

QNLZ suffered from the early loss of their fly-half, Conner, who was forced off through injury. The subsequent reshuffle disrupted their attacking shape and fluidity, making it difficult to get the ball wide and challenge the Bulls' defensive line. In the second half Marham wasted no time capitalising, and within minutes, Dutton turned provider, releasing hooker Ben Weatherill, who crashed over in the corner for another well-worked try. The Bulls had their tails up and were relentless in attack. Dutton himself soon crossed the whitewash, finishing off a slick move to further extend the lead.

QNLZ refused to go down without a fight and finally got some reward for their efforts when George South powered over from a close-range lineout. Spence converted to bring the score to 31-13, giving the Carrier’s side a much-needed morale boost. However, any hopes of a dramatic comeback were swiftly dashed as Marham continued to pile on the pressure. Opting to take two penalties to maintain control of the game, the Bulls kept the scoreboard ticking over and refused to let QNLZ build any momentum.

With the game all but sealed, Marham’s vice-captain and No.8 James Stockdale put the icing on the cake with a powerful surge over the line for another try. As the final minutes ticked away, Fulwell—back on the pitch after a tactical substitution—delivered the finishing blow, capping off a superb individual performance by storming through exhausted defenders to dot down. The Bulls had stamped their authority on the contest from start to finish, ensuring their captain, Jack Johnston, had the honour of lifting the Navy Cup in front of a jubilant Marham contingent.

Final Score: RAF Marham 45 – 13 HMS Queen Elizabeth.

Lewis Brooker who had just changed out of his Assistant Referees shirt from the Plate match into his Marham managers kit said, “Yesterday was an absolute highlight for me with the Marham Bulls. From the first whistle, we came out strong, running hard, direct lines and making real impact. Our transition between attack and defence was seamless, showing how well we’ve gelled as a team.

We dominated the scrums and rucks, keeping the pressure on and playing simple, effective Bulls rugby - nothing flashy, just powerful, disciplined play. Everyone put in a shift, and it really showed.

Honestly, being the Team Manager and seeing the lads perform like that was a proud moment. It was one of my best experiences with the Bulls since I started playing with them in 2019. Seeing how far we’ve come and being part of it all makes it even better.”

HMS Queen Elizabeth: CPO Carr, ET Poole, POET John; AB Turley, AB Loga; AB South, LET Turham, Lt Orrburns; ET Gillett, LET Conner, ET Barnett, LET Jones, LET Butler, LS Spence, LPT Teixeira.

Replacements: LET Hunter, LET Harvey, NA Young, LA Skinner, AET Arram, ET Emtage, LET Fields Talbot, AB Fraser.

RAF Marham: Laet Johnston, AET Weatherill, AET Morris; Sqn Ldr Clarkson, Cpl Freeman; AET Dyer, AET Fulwell, POAET Stockdale; LAET Greenidge, Cpl Potter, LAET Wade, AET Dutton, Capt Hood USMC, AET Paddon, POAET Cliff.

Replacements: AS1 Thurnham Fg Off Collins, CPOAET Wright, A/Sgt Reid, LAET Simpson, Cpl Marston, LAET Copsey, AET Cross.

Words by J Campbell_Baldwin

Images by Oliver Leach, Crown Copyright