Though it is the newest of the Royal Navy Rugby Union’s awards, the Mike Connolly Trophy has already established itself amongst the Mariners team as a prestigious award where the winners are respected throughout the squad. Its first recipient, Wilf Rees was a backrow forward that Mike could identify with and the same could be said about this year’s winner Guy Pallett. Though Mike played either Number 8 or blindside flanker he was part of many back rows where harmony was achieved through having an out and out openside flank forward. Such players have to have a bit of mongrel about them as they spend the game scavenging on the ground being a nuisance to the opposition at ever...
The day after the night before would be so different to what Soapy Watson would remember. Having received the award that bares Soapy’s name Paul ‘George’ Hillan will make the final team talk to his Mariner’s side before they kick off in front of packed and loud Kneller Hall. The fact that the event occurs at all is partly due to Soapy Watson’s vision and drive. He will look down on the final match of the twentieth Inter Service Veteran’s tournament well satisfied as to how the championship has developed and also appreciative of the calm, understated skills, the energy and the desire that Paul ‘George’ Hillan has brought to...
It will be a long time before Jon Humphrey forgets the opening quarter of the Navy’s match against the Royal Air Force last month. Three tries in twenty minutes seemed to have set the course for an away victory before injury forced his replacement. His understated influence on the Royal Navy’s backline became evident as in his absence the RAF fought back for a compelling draw. Having been forced to miss the next two games and with the RAF going on to defeat the Army at Aldershot, the Royal Navy will welcome the return of Humprey’s proven try scoring and goal kicking ability as they seek to first beat an Army side that is bound to be fired up for the match before worryin...
