That Wasn’t the Cinch the Navy was Expecting

The Royal Navy men held a dogged Royal Air Force outfit at bay at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens. It was an 80 minutes which saw momentum swing one way and then the other, but while the RAF could not be shaken off by the Senior Service, nor could they overcome an early deficit.

Although they would win by double-digits, the Navy’s opening score was a sucker-punch try. The opening five minutes had been spent in the Senior Service’s territory with the RAF piling pressure close to the line. But just as they were building a promising attack up stepped Navy centre Jordan Gott to snatch a crucial interception.

Belgian international, Gott, kicked ahead, Ben Chambers beating the cover for the score. Jake Hanley added the conversion and a penalty, giving the Navy a healthy 10 - 0 cushion with 12 minutes on the clock.

Ten became 13 early in the second quarter, but then the RAF hit back in some style. Navy scrum-half Will Riglesford’s box kick was contestable, but when the ball rebounded off Henry Gliddon to RAF captain Mark Williams, he spied space on the touchline and had the pace to exploit it.

Sam Boxhall was in support for the score, and while the try was unconverted the positive effect it had on the RAF was palpable.

Alex Stanley made a break from deep, as did winger Jacob Seddon. But the crucial pass remained elusive, as did the Navy’s touch close to the RAF line in the final action of the half.

At 5 - 13 the contest was finely poised and waiting for one of the teams to grab control.

Five minutes after the re-start it looked like the Navy had done just that. Chambers continued his impressive afternoon with a great break, and Riglesford popped up on his shoulder with pace and power to dot down in the corner.

But the RAF were not going away in a hurry, space created by slick handling for hooker James Roberts to dive over in the corner. Williams landed a great conversion in a swirling wind to make it 12 - 18.

There was a second try in the same corner for the RAF, Kieron Prescott capitalising when the Navy’s defence ran out of numbers. But Hanley was keeping the scoreboard ticking over at the other end, too, and going into the final 10 minutes the Navy were still a converted try in front.

Hanley’s clinching kick came with five minutes to go, but it was the other end of the 80 minutes which were the difference, according to Navy skipper, Jarrard Hayler, “We wanted to come out in the first 10 minutes, front-load our effort, and see what happens,” he said. “We came out with a good try, but they came out with a good try as well, and it was 50/50.

“We dug deep in the second half and came out with the win.”

Hanley’s final kick was preceded by a missed penalty on half-way, which Hayler said was much about time management as it was about points.

“We wanted to establish more control in the game,” he added. “If he scores it takes us 10 points ahead, if not it’s another minute down with six minutes to play.

“It’s a cup final, and was a good battle today.”

For the RAF’s David Manning there were mixed emotions – the pride of winning his 25th Inter Service cap having started every match in the competition since his debut in 2011 tempered with the disappointment of the day’s result.

“On a personal note it’s great to receive my 25th cap,” he said. “However, as a competitive sportsperson it’s about the result on the day, and we came up a bit short. Credit to the Navy, they used their power game, and we gave away too many penalties which they could work off.

“We’re trying to play a different brand of rugby where you are going to get mistakes, especially when you’re trying to introduce it in the Championship compared to what we’ve done before.

“We’re definitely frustrated. We had a lot of possession, but they held us out and got the breakaway try. In the end it was the difference, but across the 80 minutes there were a lot of momentum swings.”

2025 is Manning’s swansong in the Light Blue, and he is determined to enjoy the experience, which is what he has tried to do throughout his career.

“The guys did a great video for me at the shirt presentation, and previous team mates said nice words,” he added. “I said to the boys – especially the five new caps we had today – that it is all about who you play with and the coaching staff, and I encourage all the players to throw all they have at it and enjoy the moment.”

As it was a Navy win the final words belong to Hayler, “It was a great day for interservice rugby at Franklins gardens. Credit to the RAF; it was a physical game, and they fired some good shots at us. I felt like we controlled the game well and fortunately we came away with the win. Back to the training ground to refine our processes and prepare for Twickenham in two weeks’ time.”

Senior Men: T Lindsay, S Matavesi, B Watson (VC), S Makepeace, J Williams; E Pascoe, R Vakalutukali, J Hayler (C); W Riglesford, J Hanley, B Chambers, J Gott, J Hoffman, H Gliddon, C Duncan (VC).

Replacements: ⁠R Williams, K Beasley, D Cleverley, C Mills, B Mallett, D Rutter,.G Edson*, K Teear-Bourge.

* Denotes new cap.

Words by C Wearmouth