RNRU Royal Navy Rugby Union

First Darren Bamford and then Jarred Hayler joined former Navy player and England Sevens captain, Greg Barden, in the record books with a five try hall in a competitive match as the Royal Navy broke the century against a Canadian side that kept going to the final whistle but had no answer to the home teams all court game and firepower. 

With Kyle Mason dropping out shortly before kick off, number 8 Dave Fairbrother took on the captaincy role and celebrated with four tries of his own.  Canada were denied what would have been a very popular try right at the end, when South African referee, Paul Mente, ruled a double movement and their disappointment was compounded as the Royal Navy went the length of the pitch for Harry Collins to cross for their eighteenth and final try.

The match will no doubt keep the statisticians awake for many a night compiling the various records broken of equalled.  The Royal Navy stuck to a simple game plan and it was their team work which ensured that the game kept it’s structure and shape and the score board ticking over.  The Canadians, who could not be faulted on their work rate and desire, tackled and harried for the full eighty minutes but too often found that the ball had been shipped on to a Navy support runner.  With their set piece under pressure at both scrum and lineout Canada were also unable to establish any meaningful possession when the Royal Navy did make errors.  Often Edd Pascoe went highest to steal their throw or they were driven back at the scrummage.

In truth the Royal Navy may well have scored more but for two reasons.  The first was when the referee rightly shortened the first half with Canada lock forward Justin Gibbs, surrounded by medical staff, lying prone and motionless on the pitch.  The serious injury happened at a maul, following Canada winning the ball at their lineout and the Navy pack surging forward.  His game was over and it was not until late in to the night that the reassuring news came through that following a CAT scan he was going to be all right and had been discharged from hospital to return to the team at Bulford Camp. 

The other was that the Navy still managed to maintain their run of yellow cards and for the second time in the tournament had to play with thirteen men.  Against New Zealand it had turned the match but it was barely noticed, as Canada could not capitalise on John Lamsin and Dave Fairbrother’s absence.

For the record books Matt Bowden, with two, and Richard Cadywould were the other Royal Navy try scorers and Cadywould also landed six conversions.  Replacements Jon Humphrey with five conversions and Nathan Huntley with two shared the remaining points. 

For Canada another heavy defeat in IDRC 2015 but they enjoyed their tournament and added to its richness.  They remained convinced that at 111-0 the disallowed try denied them the chance of a comeback!  An unbowed pioneer spirit that graced US Portsmouth’s historic ground and they would always be welcome visitors.

Royal Navy:  Josh Terry, Harry Collins, Tom Blackburn, John Lamsin, Edd Pascoe, Ben Fox, Jarrad Hayler, Dave Fairbrother (C), Johnny Stephen, Richard Cadywould, Matt Bowden, Silvenusi Buinimasi, Sam Davies, Greg Welling, Darren Bamford

Replacements: Ian Cooper, John Court, Joe Burton, Stew Bartllett, Cory Moore, Nathan Huntley, Matt Tichias, Jon Humphrey

Canada: Chris Wood (C), Brett Borix, Andy Nash, Justin Gibbs, Shawn Hollett, Matt Haynes, Eric Young, Alistair Klima, Connor Severin, Brett McIntyre, Jesse LeBlanc, Mike Dunning, Conor Anson-Cartwright, Chris Manning, Richard Garcia

Replacements: Pat Wight, Andrew McCracken, Marc Jacquard, Craig Murphy, Mat Waterman, Craig Warr, Harley Fletcher, Park Horton

Referee:  Paul Mente (South Africa) Ass Refereees Gerwyn Taylor (ARURS), Kitione Ligavatu (Fiji)

Images by Alligin Photography / © G Ashton