In 2020 the Army Women and Royal Navy Women will run out from the West stand on to the hallowed Twickenham turf for the first time in history. Since the first Women’s Inter Services match in 2003, the goal of playing at Twickenham Stadium has been held by many of the pioneers of the Service Women's game.
1920 was a very special year for Service rugby. With the end of the Great War the newly formed Royal Air Force Rugby Union joined with the Army and Royal Navy to compete in the first Inter Service Rugby Championship. Both the matches involving the Royal Air Force were played at The Queen’s Club, London, but the Army v Navy match (which had been played at the restr...
The Navy U23s produced a beautiful performance in the ugliest conditions to out-muscle the Army, 28-12 in their first Inter Services fixture of 2019. With both sides fielding new look squads, this was always going to be an intriguing encounter. Yet the way the young Navy side manged the game and dominated the set piece showed maturity well beyond their years.
The Navy’s defence was well organised from the kick off which frustrated the highly talented Army back line. With ball in hand the Dark Blue were direct and aggressive, with the forwards making hard yards which allowed Man of the Match Jake Hanley to pull the strings.
In the first twenty minutes the Navy were in full con...
In their second match of the season, the Royal Navy Women’s Rugby Development side met Portsmouth Valkyries Ladies at HMS Temeraire. Despite the poor weather, there was plenty of action on the field and lots for the training support group to get excited about.
The match was played on HMS Temeraire’s 4G artificial pitch on a typical November evening of drizzle with the occasional heavier downpour. The coaches agreed to play 2 twenty minute quarters and a final half of 40 minutes.
Portsmouth started with a well-placed kick fielded by the Abi Sondack (8) just over the 10 metre line. The ball passed to Helen Stevenson (18) who attacked the Portsmouth defence. The ball...
