The Navy Senior XV suffered a 34-17 defeat at the hands of a Coventry Night Hawks following the most lacklustre first half of rugby seen from the Navy team for some years. Electing to play in to the wind at the Butts Park Arena, Coventry the Navy were soon on the back foot as a lively and inventive Coventry side put them under pressure and retained possession for long periods.
When the Navy side did managed to gain possession it was too easily surrendered back to the opposition. With the honourable exception of Ian Cooper (HMS Ambush) no one in a Navy shirt could honestly say they acquitted themselves well. The Navy did have a few opportunities to get...
The Navy welcomes back a number of players on Wed when they travel to Coventry. Both teams are using the match for development purposes and this is reflected in the Navy side which again shows a number of players who are new to the squad. The pack contains a healthy blend of experience and youth. At hooker Tom Evans-Jones starts with Ben Priddey reverting to the bench. Gareth Cadmore makes a first start in the 2nd row where the Navy will look to use his mobility as they seek to put more width on their game, whilst U23 No8 Ian Cooper makes his debut in a Senior XV shirt. Behind the scrum only skipper Dave Pascoe and Calum MacRae at centre are capped...
The RN Mariners season began in earnest at Ivel Barbarians pitch against an extremely youthful Naval Air Command team who had been assembled to play in what has now become a significant fixture in the RNRU calendar ‘The Paul Dunn Memorial Trophy'.
Paul, known, loved and still very much missed by many, was present in spirit as both teams gave an outstanding display of passionate, open and running rugby, officiated exceptionally well by Commander Stewart Kilby.
Committed from the off, the NAC, building on their strong Inter Command performances, utilised their speed, fitness, teamwork and inherent awareness of support to beat the Mariners out wide as...
Unfortunately the Senior XV match away at Oxford University will be remembered for the broken leg suffered by the Oxford right wing, Luke Fenwick. This caused the game to be held up after only 10 mins of play. The match did not resume until Luke had been removed from the field by ambulance and as a consequence of the delay was shortened to 2 halves of 30 mins.
Prior to the injury the Navy had started well and were rightly rewarded with an early penalty converted by the Navy Capt Dave Pascoe (771 NAS) (0-3). After the enforced break they continued playing a balanced style of rugby. Niall Copeland (HMS Collingwood) was producing quality ball from the lineout ...
