Further Honours for Bulwark’s Best
HMS Bulwark, under the Command of Capt Jeremy Blunden LVO RN, continues to be a rich vein of talent for Navy Rugby with POET(WE) Wayne ‘Cowboy’ John being selected to skipper the Navy U23 team in the build up to and for the U23 Inter Service tournament later this year. Cowboy’s play is typified by his ability to see space and use his acceleration to exploit it. Blest also with one of the best passes in the Navy he can provide a fly half with that all-important extra metre of room in which to play. If the team plays in his image this season it will be an exciting one to watch. Cowboy is already vastly experienced in terms of Navy rugby and has been a regular first choice pick for the last three years at both Command level and for the Navy Sharks. Last season he made the match day 22 for the Senior side in the Inter Service tournament and had to watch as team captain LAET Dave Pascoe (RFANSU) produced Man-of-the-Match performances to prevent him winning his first cap. Cowboy has been a regular for the Navy U23 side and has competed in the last three Inter Service tournaments at age group level as well as being an integral part of the cup winning Senior side at the 2006 Navy Commonwealth Cup. Asked about his hopes for the team Cowboy remarked: “As players we have not always done our selves justice in the important games. Hopefully I can bring some of my experience to help the team on the pitch. Last year the Navy side played with a lot of freedom and it would be good for the U23s to follow. Hopefully I will be able to create a desire for the players to back themselves on the pitch, to take opportunity if it is there and also to take responsibility for their own decision making.” On a personal level Cowboy hopes to go one better this year and views the U23s as the perfect spring board to put extra pressure on Pascoe for the number 9 Navy jersey. Unfortunately he will miss out on this season’s Sharks trip to Dubai as it falls in the middle of the U23 Inter Services’ tournament. Hopefully he will ease the pain by collecting some silverware back home.