ARMY/NAVY MATCHES
Report by Lt Cdr Paul Dunn - Secretary RNRU Senior XV * The Army beat the Navy 9-3 in a nail biting contest to win the BABCOCK Trophy for a record fifth successive time. Both had previously beaten the RAF to make the Twickenham encounter a 'winner takes all' match. * It wasn't always pretty but the 44,600 partisan spectators were part of the intense rivalry that can be traced back to Napoleonic times. The conditions at Twickenham were not helpful - with greasy ball and treacherous surface clearly inhibiting all attempts to play expansive rugby. * Both sides made use of each other's video and game analysis which meant they effectively stopped each other from playing. That said, the Dark Blue were fighting right up to the final whistle and were unlucky not to get a penalty try and a red card for the Army No 10. · The gap between the two sides appears to have closed and I know the RN XV cannot wait until the 5 May 2007 when they hope to reverse the winning streak of the Army. Veterans * The RN Vets took the field at Kneller Hall keen to avenge the 1 point defeat by the RAF last month. In a fiercely competitive match, both sides made good inroads into each others half and defences were tested. The Army edged the first half and dominated mid way into the second, but the RN were not finished; some tactical substitutions and a never say die attitude lead to a final minute try which nudged the Navy in front to a winning score of 17 : 16 and a share of the I/S trophy with the Army. Women's * Despite a spirited and highly committed start by the RN Women which shook the Army from the off by scoring the first try, a much heavier and streetwise Army XV steadily took charge mid way through the game. The Army's superiority told in the end with a rather flattering score of 47 : 7 in their favour - but did not reflect the manner in which the RN Women played and augurs well for next year.