November - a month of extraordinary results; Trump in the Whitehouse, Ireland beat the All Blacks, Chicago Cubs win the World Series, Italy turned over the Springboks and Murray topped the end of year ATP ranking beating Đoković. Can we expect theatrics at Burnaby Road on Wednesday? Well we will certainly see dynamism on the field but if we look forensically at both sides’ results in the lead up to the final game of the season and compare them, then perhaps it will not be such a big surprise if the RN U23s retain the Inter Service title, the young Navy side will not be taking anything for granted though. A bit optimistic, a bit premature? Maybe but the U23s have played a go...
Earlier this month two Royal Navy Rugby Union community teams travelled from the UK to the Netherlands to play their Inverdale Challenge match at Greate Pier Rugby Club in Leeuwarden. Usually these matches are played in the UK however on this occasion an exception was made at the request of the Rugby Make a Difference Foundation, headed up by Ken Wright. Inspired by the research of Mr Stephen Cooper, and detailed in the book 'The Final Whistle', Ken had heard about the Royal Naval Division who had been interned in a detention camp in the Netherlands during the First World War. The camp became known as 'HMS Timbertown' and one of the many ways the sailors spent their tim...
Ben Priddey has been a permanent fixture in the Royal Navy Rugby Union Senior XV since his first call up to the squad in 2007. More recently, he has led the players out on to the pitch at Twickenham as the team captain. This year he and his team lifted the trophy, winning the Inter Service competition, after a breath-taking draw against the Army clinched the title following an earlier one point victory over the RAF. Since then Ben has been keeping very busy on Physical Training Instructors' qualifying course. He passed out as top qualifier and best circuit taker and is about to return to the West Country to join Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose as their PTI. Born in Truro, Ben started p...
The Eastern Region Royal Navy Rugby Union Community Coach, Dave Wakefield, put 36 male and female members of the Royal Marines School of Music through an enjoyable and varied rugby coaching programme which took place on Thursday 10 Nov 16. The event took place on the 3G pitch at HMS Temeraire and was facilitated by a number of experienced Royal Navy Rugby coaches. Dave was lucky to acquire the services of the Royal Navy Rugby Union Women’s Head Coach, WO George Hillan who took the ladies through a session that included passing, running and evasion skills. They all impressed with their willingness to learn and 'never say die' attitude. George has worked the ladies...
The Royal Navy U23s started their Inter Service Championship off with a hard fought, narrow victory over the Army U23s away at Aldershot Stadium. It was a truly exciting 80 minutes of rugby and sees the Navy youngsters one step closer to retaining their Inter Service title. Experienced U23 player and Royal Navy Reservist, Rory Penfold led the team onto the pitch for the introductions and national anthem prior to the eagerly anticipated start. It was the Navy who started more brightly. After a long kick off by the Army, the Navy kicked deep and set up the first of what was to be many catch and drives. Deep into the Army 22 the Navy threw to the middle of the line ...
