Navy Duo Make Successful Debuts
Navy Senior XV captain, POAET Dave Pascoe (771NAS, RNAS Culdrose) and vice captain, Cpl Greg Barden (HMNB Portsmouth) both contributed fully to the Barbarians success in the 84th Mobbs Memorial match. Dave had to work hard in the first half as the traditional Barbarian approach to rugby ensured that rugby activity was high, kicking rare and stoppages even rarer. For the Navy's scrum half it meant a huge work rate to get from one tackle to the next and ensure the match tempo was kept up. Greg's start at seven was slightly more subdued but as the game progressed, so did his influence, and mid way through the second half he deserved his try on debut. Both players are now back with the Senior XV to continue preparations for the annual Army v Navy match at TWickenham on 7th May. Full match report courtesy of www.barnarianfc.co.ukB ARBARIANS TRIUMPH IN 84TH MOBBS MEMORIAL MATCHBedford Blues 35 Barbarians 43 The Barbarians staged a spectacular second half recovery to deservedly take the honours in the 84th Mobbs Memorial Match at Goldington Road. The omens had not looked good after a first 40 minutes played largely on the back foot after which the Barbarians went into the interval trailing by nine points. The clouds were even darker within seconds of the restart when a speculative pass deep inside their own 22 was eagerly gobbled up by Blues' centre Henry Staff for his side's fourth converted try. Suddenly the Barbarians were down 12-28. Down but not out as they played the next 30 minutes or so with almost total ball possession. David Doherty, who had scored the first try of the match as early as the fifth minute after Gareth McCarthy and Tommy Bell broke out of defence with a thrilling 90-metre attack, now pounced for his second after McCarthy caught the defence napping with a quick tap penalty. Three minutes later outstanding Neath lock Euros Evans powered over at the posts and when another outstanding performer, flanker Greg Barden, crossed from a five-metre scrum, the Barbarians were in the lead at 31-28. The comeback was far from over. Doherty completed his hat-trick in the 61st minute and although the Blues got back to within a point with a try by Steve Smith, the Barbarians finished strongly with wing Jonan Boto credited with their seventh try after a driving maul. The final whistle brought not only the Barbarians' second April victory within eight days but also continued coach Nick Mallett's unbeaten record with the Club: wins over New Zealand in December 2009 and this season South Africa, Richmond and Bedford Blues. Barbarians : *J Loxton (Cardiff Blues); C O L Ingall (Tynedale), T W Bell (Sale Sharks), *R P Broadfoot (Richmond), D J Doherty (Sale); *G M McCarthy (Neath), *D J Pascoe (Royal Navy); *N R Fowkes (Nottingham), C B Hawkins (Llanelli), *R P Davies (Neath), *E L Evans (Neath), *A L Powell (Llanelli), B Maidment (Cambridge University), *S S McKeen, capt (Oxford University & Canada), G H Barden (Royal Navy) Replavements: C C G Ritchie (Rosslyn Park) - Hawkins (40); R J Barrington (Hartpury College) - Fowkes (40); *T P Bason (Blackheath) - Powell (40); *T George (Richmond) - Maidment (33); *K P Campbell (Dungannon & Ireland) - Pascoe (40); A O Erinle (England) - Broadfoot (9); *J P E Boto (Richmond) - Ingall (40) Tries: Doherty (3), Ingall, Evans, Barden, Boto; Conversions : Broadfoot, Bell (3) Bedford Blues: B Burke; M Kohler, T Bax, H Staff, J Bassett; T Bedford, N PJ Walshe (capt); P D Carstens, H Allen, A Brown,S Tomes, O Cooper Miller, D Barrell, J Leszczuk, R Long Replacements: R Boot, L W Ovens, S Flatman, G Messum, H Peck, E Bale, S Smith Tries: Brown, Barrell, Walshe, Staff, Smith; Conversions: Burke (3), Bedford, Bale Referee: C White (RFU) Attendance: 1,850