HMNB Devonport v 42 Cdo RM Match Report
5th Feb 2014 1415
Keyham
On a very blustery day in Keyham the Naval base hosted 42 CDO RM for their second meeting in the WRL. On the last encounter before Christmas Devonport fielded an understrength team with the Royals walking away with a 44-0 win. It looked like a similar game was about to take place with Devonport struggling for 15 players before the game. After a few late arrivals the game was underway with 42 very quickly realising this game was not going to be a repeat of the previous fixture.
It took the first 15 minutes for both teams to settle down and play some nice rugby. A good solo effort by MNE (Troy) Gobey saw him open the scoring giving 42 the first points, the following conversion unsuccessful in the near hurricane force wind.
A new look pack for 42 saw them keeping the ball close and constantly making the hard yards. Their graft was rewarded when rookie prop MNE (Chris) Duff crossed the line for his first try in a 42 shirt. The conversion was kicked by MNE (Taff) Evans.
Straight from the kick off Devonport fought hard and made some ground through the hard work of their 10. A well-executed move from Devonport saw the backs score just to the left of the posts. With 5 minutes to go 42 responded well and a hard line from inside centre MNE (Jacob) Myburgh broke the Devonport line and he crossed the line on his debut.
The seconded half kicked off with Devonport coming out of the blocks much faster than their opponents and taking the game to the bootnecks. A lapse in the 42 concentration saw Devonport take a quick tap penalty and cross the line without any interference, with the conversion being added to take the score to 12-19. Again 42's reliable fullback Gobey finished of a well rehearsed move to score under the posts, with Evans again adding the conversion.
Devonport reacted immediately and their forwards continued to scramble yards from the 42 defence and eventually broke the line to score under the posts. With 8 minutes to go Duff crashed the ball up and managed to break several tackles to cross the line, Jones again adding the conversion.
A well contested game with HMNB Devonport playing some great rugby in the backs supported by a very strong pack.
Final score
HMNB Devonport = 17
42 CDO = 31
Team List
MNE Taff Robinson
SGT Matthew Dewsnap
MNE Arnie Clarke
SGT Ash Morris
MNE Matthew Jones
MNE Brad James
CSGT Bryan Milford
CSGT Mark McKeown
MNE Chris Duff
MNE Jacob Myburgh
MNE Ryan Evans
MNE Aporosa Koroivueti
MNE Rory Bonnick
MNE Troy Gobey
MNE Michael Patterson