Positive rugby in extremely challenging conditions and a valiant effort from the Mariners saw Havant RFC held in a deadlock in the second half on what was a very wet evening at HMS Collingwood. However three tries by the visitors in the first half meant the final score went against the Mariners, 0 - 19. From Havant taking the first kick of the game (which went straight out) it quickly became clear that this would be a closely contested battle in the set piece. A fired-up Havant came out in force with players seeking to demonstrate their eligibility to play in their forthcoming Hampshire Cup Final. The Royal Navy Mariners responded well and some large, crunching hits by...
It was an overcast night in East London when the Royal Navy President's XV travelled to West Ham to take on the British Police. With soft conditions underfoot, the Police made the most of their home advantage running in 5 tries (plus a penalty try), to win the match 39 - 14. However the scoreboard did not accurately reflect the competitiveness of the game. It was the Police who made the first score, with a try in the opening five minutes, but the kick was wide. The Navy team responded immediately with a try of their own, scored by Royal Marine Pat Coy, which was successfully converted by Slader, 5 - 7. The next twenty minutes saw possession go first ...
Ten years on from the 2007 memorial match to celebrate the life of Royal Marine Craig Hodgkinson the Royal Navy Rugby Union Senior XV travelled north to take on the Glasgow Hawks at the old Anniesland ground at the High School of Glasgow in a charity fundraiser. Playing in front of a full house, the Navy team were keen to prove their credentials and give the spectators an evening of great rugby. This they did, with the final score Glasgow Hawks 17 - RN Senior XV 28.
Navy Head Coach, Ash Coates said "We are delighted to play here this evening, to mark the anniversary of the memorial match for Craig and to raise money for the Craig Hodgkinson Trust. ...
This Wednesday the Royal Navy Senior XV will travel north of the border to renew their acquaintance with the Glasgow Hawks. Entry to the match is free and all spectators are welcome so if you are able to, get along to the old Anniesland ground at the High School of Glasgow to watch the Hawks take on the Royal Navy. This is the first time that the two teams have met since 2007 when they played a memorial match to celebrate the life of Craig Hodgkinson, a Royal Marine, who died of cardiomyopathy while playing rugby for the Royal Navy. It also raised money for the Craig Hodgkinson Trust which was set up by Craig's parents to raise money for defibrillators which are given to sporting ...
An agonising final period of play at Burnaby Road turned to euphoria as Fentum sent over the match-winning penalty for the Mariners to take tentative steps towards the finale of the season, the Inter Service competition, having just beaten a determined Her Majesty's Prison Service XV 15 – 13. In quickly deteriorating conditions the Mariners experienced the worst possible start to a match; a knock on from kick off allowed HMPS their first taste of the red zone, an area of the field they became far too familiar with in the first half. Both sides suffered from the greasy ball but it was HMPS who mishandled first. In the scrum the packs were fiercely competitive with both sides stand...
