In the end a comfortable victory but after a quick fire opening five minutes which saw the Royal Navy score two tries, the Georgia team raised their game to levels not seen earlier in the tournament and went toe to toe with the Royal Navy for the next fifty five minutes. It was only in the final quarter that the Royal Navy were able to pull away to secure the victory by 32 points to 7.
From the first scrum the Georgia forwards laid down the marker as they shunted the Navy pack backwards. However though not on the front foot a searing break from Sam Davies quickly revealed the Royal Navy’s intentions. Though Georgia were able to clear their lines it was Navy ful...
The Royal Navy make five changes to the starting XV that won so comprehensively in the semi final against Canada, as they travel to Maidenhead for the Plate Final. Maidenhead’s 4G pitch is sure to suit the Navy’s high tempo game as they look to finish the 2015 International Defence Rugby Competition on a high. Georgia may well ask some questions up front but the Royal Navy should travel in confident mood.
Ben Priddey returns to lead the team and will form a backrow trio with Jarrad Hayler and Dave Fairbrother. In front of them, there is a familiar looking pack where the Malta front row duo of Kyle Mason and Harry Collins are joined by John Court; with Joh...
First Darren Bamford and then Jarred Hayler joined former Navy player and England Sevens captain, Greg Barden, in the record books with a five try hall in a competitive match as the Royal Navy broke the century against a Canadian side that kept going to the final whistle but had no answer to the home teams all court game and firepower.
With Kyle Mason dropping out shortly before kick off, number 8 Dave Fairbrother took on the captaincy role and celebrated with four tries of his own. Canada were denied what would have been a very popular try right at the end, when South African referee, Paul Mente, ruled a double movement and their disappointment was compounded as the Royal...
With the pool stages completed, skipper Kyle Mason knows that there will be no second chances as they chase success in the IDRC 2015 Plate Competition. Though they face the lowest ranked team, Canada Defence Forces, following the pool stages the application needs to build on the performance that was produced against Japan and not leave the result to chance.
Kyle Mason is part of an unchanged pack with the half back partnership also remaining from Thursday’s game against Japan. Silvenuis Buinimasi returns to the side, at inside centre, where he will partner Sam Davies who moves to outside centre, with Darren Bamford moving to fullback. Ben Chambers, fresh from his thr...
The pristine pitch at Old Merchant Taylors school has a long association with Navy Rugby’s age group sides, regularly hosting the Colts ‘home’ Inter Service matches played, in those days, on the morning of the Army Navy Match. It certainly seemed to galvanise this year’s U23 XV who produced their best performance of their season to beat Ealing Traifinders 36-15.
Despite the late withdrawal, through illness, of Harrison Marsh, the U23 XV travelled in a positive frame of mind having had a good couple of days preparation. The aim was to produce a performance to springboard them forward. That they did this with a well deserved win was a bonus. The Navy side will re...
