The Royal Navy made the long trek from Portsmouth to Colwyn Bay to play Rygbu Gogledd Cymru 1404 last night as part of their Inter Services 2010 preparations. Following the success of their game against CLOB, the team saw a number of changes - some enforced due to injury and some due the coaching staff wishing to have a last look at a couple of combinations. Despite the wet weather the pitch was in remarkably good condition and firm under foot. This allowed both sides to play the game at a good tempo and provide some entertainment for the reasonably sized crowd that had turned out. The Navy came out of the blocks the sharper of the two sides and their early pressure wa...
On 1 Apr 2010 Lt Cdr Colin Nicklas (a former coach of RN U21, RN Women and Ancient Mariners) will be flying to Morocco to take on the ultimate endurance challenge of the 25 th Anniversary edition of the Marathon des Sables (MdS). Despite the obvious attractions of the event, his main aim is to raise much needed funds for Children's Hospice South West and their Precious Lives Appeal. Billed as the "world's toughest foot race", this year the MdS organisers have increased the distance to 250km, completed in 6 stages spread over 7 days. Competitors are self sufficient for the period of the race (carrying 7 days of food and other essential kit), although the organisers prov...
The Royal Navy bounced back from disappointment in Toulon with an emphatic 77 - 5 win over Combined London Old Boys (CLOB) at Richmond Athletic Ground last night. From the earliest exchanges it was evident that the Navy possessed too much pace for CLOB and it was therefore no surprise when hooker NA Ben Priddey (RNAS Culdrose) finished off a move that started in his own half for the first score after less than 3 minutes.
Time and time again the Navy looked to move the ball from any area on the pitch and the work rate of the players ensured that there was always support options for the ball carrier. With CLOB defenders often faced with three Navy players attackin...
A successful weekend for French rugby saw not only the national team win the 6 Nations Championship but also La Marine Nationale (MN) - the French Navy - regain the Babcock Trophy with a win over the RN in Toulon.
Clearly buoyed by the support of their home crowd, the hosts put the RN under pressure from the kick off, lofting high balls and attacking aggressively. A large and very enthusiastic crowd, many of whom were in French Navy uniform, chanted "allez les bleues" - and the roars of support rang out around the Toulon stadium. In this high tempo match, the RN showed huge amounts of courage and total commitment as they thwarted several French attacks in the first 20 minutes. All thi...
Nine Royal Navy Under 23s have been selected for the Combined Services Under 23 squad 2010.
The players selected are:
AET Kye Beasley (820 NAS) - prop; AB(Sea) Josh Beavis (HMS Liverpool) - full back; AB (Sea) Will Cairns (PORFLOT T23 Pool) - back row/lock; ET(WE)(SM) Ian Cooper (HMS Astute) - back row; Mne Mike Egglestone (45 Cdo RM)- back row; O/C Ed Gaught (BRNC) - hooker; Mne Dennis Scothorne (42 Cdo RM) - lock; ET(ME) Dale Sleeman (HMS Cumberland) - centre; Mne Jonny Stephen (CTCRM)- scrum half.
