At the Royal Navy Senior XV v Irish Defence Forces match on 26 th February, RNRU President Admiral Neil Morisetti presented Royal Navy Referee Warrant Officer Geoff Howells with his Combined Service Colours.
Geoff was particularly pleased to receive his colours from the RNRU President as the Admiral had commanded Geoff while he was serving in HMS Invincible. Geoff has been refereeing since his playing career was brought to an abrupt end when he broke a shoulder in 2002. He referees for the Combined Services Rugby Referees, Royal Navy Referees Society and Hampshire, officiating for both service and civilian rugby. He has steadily progressed up the referee...
The third match in the RNRU Veterans XXV calendar for the 09/10 season was against a committed Prison Service team on a cold but dry night at Burnaby Road. Team Manager WO Glen Humphreys and Head Coach Lt Mick Connolly had prepared the team throughout the day and devised a game plan built around viewing as many players as they could in order to trim the 35-man squad down to 25 for the Inter Services. Both sides started brightly with early inroads in to HM Prison Service (HMP) territory nearly leading to an early try by the RN. But sterling goal line defence ensured that the score remain locked until some 10 minutes into the game. Possession and territory, plus RN indisc...
At the top of National 1, Esher was never going to be an easy team to beat on home ground. This was to be the second year that the Royal Navy has played this re-established fixture. Although not a full 1 st team, the Esher side contained a wealth of experience with several players on loan from Wasps and other top-flight clubs. This gave the Surrey team size and speed that would ask questions of the Navy defence and fitness.
From the kick-off the Esher side showed its intent attacking wide and with pace. The Navy defence closed them down and Esher's only option was a kick over the top; a fumble by the Navy put the ball into the hands of the Esher winger who scored in the corner (1 min ...
The Six Nations weekend saw the Royal Navy Senior XV renew its rivalry with the Irish Defence Forces (IDF) at Burnaby Road, Portsmouth. This was the ninth meeting of the two sides, the first being in 2002 at London Welsh. The overall series stood at 5 - 3 to the Royal Navy, with the home side being the current holders of the trophy and determined to retain it on home soil. This annual encounter has been notable for the closeness and competitiveness of the games, with every one going to the wire; this year's match was to prove no exception, with the margin of victory yet again being within one score. The IDF has consistently been hard, committed and determined opponents and provide a goo...
