On the first of four consecutive matches to be played in the West Country (see fixture list for details) the Senior Men took to the field at Plymouth Albion’s Brickfields ground in their third post-Christmas fixture of the season after winning the Commonwealth Navies Cup back in September. The opposition on the night was a Plymouth Albion RFC Club XV made up from both the host club’s playing roster and a number of guest players from the likes of Saltash RFC.
A very good crowd was treated to full blooded display from both sides on a night when those in blue were looking to impress the coaching staff before the squad is trimmed down in preparation for the capped fixtures tha...
The Mariners management acknowledge they don’t have a lot of time but that they do have a lot of player resource. Putting out a significantly different team fortnight after fortnight is challenging but the team led out by Peter Kewn put on a show of determination and cohesion. A cynic would say they left three tries out on the field, but the Defence Academy were good for another two themselves.
The Navy side have a glut of good nines in Saberton, Cox and Kent with the latter quickly showing he has an eye for a break and turning defence into attack. In Jez Parsons they have a 10 who can accurately pass off both hands and a boot that brings reward. There were 10 minutes un...
AB Wtr Daisy Lumsden scored the final try of the match…but not for the Navy. On the back of a Player of the Match performance on the weekend, the Havant wing dotted down in the corner setting up a conversion for the win. The shot at goal was at the limit of the Red and Whites 10 and the game ended with a 19 all draw.
The two-day camp paid off as the players demonstrated an understanding of their shape in defence and attack and a strong cohesion between backs and forwards as they ran their patterns. They worked tirelessly for each other and the tired smiles after the match were telling of how strong the player bonds are.
The Navy showed intent and enterprise throughout ...
Cambridge and Oxford Universities decided to move the Varsity Matches to March in line with other team’s fixture lists resulting in more meaningful matches for the RNRU. Having beaten Oxford as Portsmouth, the subsequent match against Cambridge gave both teams an opportunity to build to something special.
Cambridge pounced upon a disjointed Navy defence to cross for their only try of the first half in reply to Will Scott’s close-range score. The game ended with the Navy determined to come away with the victory with Jake Hanley converting the winning penalty following Will Scott’s second try of the night and Jake Hanley’s perfectly placed cross field kick to win...
On a busy evening for Navy rugby, the first kick off of the day was at the Rectory, Devonport for an Inverdale Challenge match in which RN West hosted the Royal Marines.
The pitch was in great condition despite a few overnight frosts during the week and with a very light breeze the conditions were perfect for running rugby.
The story of the first half followed a similar pattern throughout. The RN West team showed great endeavour for a team that was put together from players based shoreside and those from ships that happened to be alongside. Individually, they made many great runs and put in big hits but could never quite breach the RM defence which was resolute and aggressive for t...
