Plymouth Albion RFC played host to the French Navy, in the 13th fixture in the Babcock International competition between the Royal Navy and their French counterparts, the Marine Nationale. The series was drawn at six wins apiece but with their 19 - 15 victory over the Royal Navy Senior XV the French Navy take the lead with 7 wins. The Royal Marine Band from HMS Raleigh opened the evening before the teams took to the pitch to be introduced to the dignitaries prior to the playing of the National Anthems. The event was open to the public and a good crowd turned out to support the Royal Navy team and to enjoy the early evening sunshine. The French side were the first team to pu...
As the RN Women and the Senior XV were taking part in une affaire française across the way at HMS Drake and Brickfields respectively, the Mariners were playing a local derby against the hardened Torbay Sharks. Brothers Gary and Stu Kingsley were at the front of the Sharks’ onslaught scoring three tries between them as well as braces for John Arnold and Steve Hodge. Showing greater composure and resilience, the Mariners came back in the second half but not enough to turn over the deficit with the final score Mariners 17 Torbay Sharks 34. Backs’ Coach Paul Clark said, “The guys can hold their heads up. Torbay is always a tough match, that’s why we have this ...
Britannia Royal Naval College Rugby Club put on a strong display with their fresh faced team winning 37-12 against the Peninsula Medics RFC to kick off 2017 in a positive fashion. With a fresh intake arriving at the start of January and a number of players missing due to being on Initial Sea Assignments, the BRNC Rugby Club had a breadth of new talent and faces to contend with for their first match of the season. With only a few sessions under their belt, the team had gelled well with the ability and determination showing as they warmed up on a cold South West night. Facing an already bonded and talented team in the form of the Medics, BRNC were aiming to stamp their intent for the rema...
With the series levelled at six a piece, the Royal Navy Rugby Union Senior XV will be looking to make the most of their home advantage when they meet their French Navy counterparts on Wednesday evening at Plymouth Albion RFC. The annual 'Entente Cordial' fixture between the Royal Navy Rugby Union and the French 'Marine Nationale' was established in 2005, the year that marked 200 years since the Battle of Trafalgar. The match serves to strengthen the ties between the two Navies and after the competition on the pitch there is always post-match camaraderie between the teams. This year the event takes place in the West Country, and both the French men's and women's teams have ...
It was a cold, foggy night on the South Coast when the Royal Navy Senior XV treated the spectators at Burnaby Road to a convincing win over County Shield Champions, Hampshire RFU, 28 - 5, in their only home match of the season. Following a day of brilliant sunshine with thermometers at the training camp in Fort Blockhouse, Gosport touching 18 degrees centigrade, the temperature plummeted and the mist rolled in. Fog sirens could be heard in the background as Royal Marine musician, Edd Pascoe, led the Navy team onto the pitch for this their first and only match at Burnaby Road in 2017. There were some key players absent from the team sheet, with team captain and hooker, Ben Priddey ...
