Mariners Stage Spectacular Comeback

The Navy Mariners initially struggled against the Havant Mariners but managed to turn the game around with determined play, scoring important timely tries to lead 21 - 15 by halftime. In the second half, they built on their earlier success, adding to the scoreboard eventually securing a well-deserved 35 - 22 victory. Havant’s line-out was their most successful weapon while the Mariners reaped reward from their powerful scrum performance.

The Mariners kicked off at Havant RFC at what was a very well attended match held in near perfect conditions. Havant responded with a kick to touch and the first of several early successes for the home side in the line-out. Havant very quickly displayed a fierce energy which was the story of the first quarter, with the Mariners having to defend in their own territory. Positive signs of the visitor’s resilience came in the scrum with a big shove against the head, however Havant’s backline scythed and accelerated to the Mariners’ 22m line, and hooker Jake Biggs went over for the first try.

After the restart Havant maintained the upper hand with continued success coming from the line-out and kicking to the corner accuracy thus exerting yet more pressure on the Mariners. The onslaught continued and culminated with Havant stealing the ball from a Mariners’ scrum deep in the visitor’s half and full-back Alex Duncombe going over for the second try out wide.

As the clock approached the second quarter, and following Havant being penalised for obstruction, the Mariners seized the moment and kicked to their opponent’s corner. Paul Price at hooker deftly threw in at the line-out and second-row Niall Copeland balletically leaped high to retrieve the spinning ball from the Spring evening sky. Fly-half Rich Cadywould darted forward over the game-line and linked with vice-captain at 13 Dane Waryck. The ball once more coming back to Cadywould who popped the ball to back-row Val Valemei who shrugged off attempts to take him down.

The momentum see-sawed from one side to the other with long-range kicks from both. From the Mariners’ own half the visitors put on a glittering display of running the ball back passing from Cadywould to Waryck and back to Cadywould before Rob Ede on the wing made an impressive foray into Havant’s half, getting the ball to Adam McCrohan who shipped to Ryan Cox at scrumhalf who went over for the try which Cadywould converted, 10 – 7.

The momentum was now very much with the visitors. The Havant restart was recovered by Valemei who accelerated on to the ball. While Havant continued to dominate the line-out, an attempt to capitalise was thwarted by a big tackle by Cox. The ball returned into Mariner hands was kicked off the park for a large territory gain. The half was all with the visitors, Cadywould sold a magnificent dummy and then passed to Jez Parsons at inside centre who bounded over the try-line to score a try which was converted by Cadywould.

No sooner had the game restarted that the Mariners resumed occupation of their opponents 22 which resulted in Waryck going over to score, again converted by Cadywould.

Havant responded with renewed energy and following the referee penalising the Mariners for not retiring 10m, the home side kicked for the corner and capitalised on their line-out dominance going over for the final try of the half, Havant 15 – 21 Mariners.

The second half got underway with the kicking duel continuing-on from the first half. The Mariners stiff defence soaked up pressure in their own territory in the first few minutes. Havant’s early capture of possession and territory was rudely interrupted by an interception from Cadywould who accelerated down the pitch, passing to Parsons in support to score the first try of the half, which Cadywould converted.

Changes in the front-row for the Mariners saw Sam Winfield coming on for Andrew John at loosehead and Jacob Myburgh replacing Paul Price at hooker allowed the the visitors to maintain the upper-hand in the scrum. The Mariners pack resumed putting pressure on their opponents, with Steve Hillman at Number 8 picking up from the back of the scrum and making yards. Off the back of a Havant line-out the Mariners stole the ball and Mike Plant at full-back linked with Waryck to push-back into Havant’s half. Cadywould passed to replacement Rob Hall and onto Cox who got the ball to replacement Peter Kewn through the hands to Parsons and back to Cox who went over for another try which was converted by Cadywould.

Following the restart the Havant line-out appeared less certain, but they remained fired-up and responded with a try which was converted.

Entering the last ten minutes of the game, the spectators were enjoying a stellar performance from both sides. Once again Cox initiated a move to Parsons and onto Waryck. Off the bench, Andrew Kent and Duncan Fraser made strong runs into their opponent’s half. The Mariners’ scrum continued to impress until the final whistle which will have impressed forwards coaches John Lamsin and Chris Thompson.

Mariners: A John, P Price, C Otway; M Cormack, N Copeland; L John (C), V Valemei, S Hillman; R Cox, R Cadywould, A McCrohan, J Parsons, D Waryck (VC), R Ede, M Plant.

Replacements: J Myburgh, S Winfield, P Kewn, K Heffernan, C Hart, D Fraser, A Kent, R Hall. 

Words by J Wheale

Images by Cinnabar Studios