The second tournament of the season saw the Sharks travel to Bury St Edmunds to compete in the Green King IPA open event. With 6 changes and 3 players stepping up from the development squad the Sharks were a different side with a different feel from their first outing at East Grinstead. A Friday night meet at RAF Honnington allowed the squad to settle and train together ahead of the tournament. First up as competition for the Sharks were the Bulldogs. The squad were fresh and the game started at a fast pace with the Sharks scoring first through Sam Benzie quickly followed by a powering run from Ollie Newborn to take a half time lead 14 - 0. The second half...
This match was played between two neighbouring ships as they both conducted maintenance in Plymouth. The second foray for HMS Scott's 15 saw them face tough opposition in the form of HMS Argyll. The first half belonged to Scott. From the kick off, Scott's forwards went after the ball with a passion, which led to an early turnover in the opposition half. After 6 minutes of play, and several pick and goes by the forwards, quick hands from the backs saw the ball spun out wide to Ryan Davies who dived over the line in the corner to start the scoring for the day. Conversion missed the score stood 5 - 0 to the survey ship. After the reset, Scott's team resumed pl...
The Royal Navy Senior XV award two trophies at the end of every season - the Cossack Sword and the Proud Heritage Exciting Future trophy. This year's worthy recipients are Corporal Ben Fox and Able Seaman (Minewarfare) Gareth Rees. The trophies were awarded by RNRU President, Admiral Sir Philip Jones, in the team changing room at Twickenham once the final whistle had blown in the centennial match. The winner of the Cossack Sword is voted for by the team members of the Senior XV for the player whose performance over the course of the season best meets the battling qualities invoked by the heritage of the Cossack Sword, for 'ground gained and held'. It was p...
29 April 2017 marked the 100th match between the Senior XVs of the Army and the Royal Navy since the formation of their Rugby Unions in 1906. Always a popular match with supporters from across the serving Armed Forces, veterans and other rugby fans, this year tickets sold out within four days of going on sale. As the teams stepped out onto the pitch they were watched by 81,577 spectators in the stands and thousands of others, watching via Sky Sports or Forces TV around the World. Furthermore, the teams had the honour of playing in front of a member of the Royal family. Prince Henry of Wales, patron of the Invictus Games charity, was in attendance as the Invictus...
Records tumbled as the Army Masters ran riot against the Mariners in an emphatic 68-27 victory. Royal Navy team captain Stan Mortensen said before the game how important it was for the team to end the season on a high, “…not because it’s the Army game, not because it is a big occasion…we owe it to ourselves not to feel like we did after eighty minutes [against the RAF].” The team showed glimpses of their potential but were outplayed in a master class of expansive rugby. The Army Masters were clear favourites after their 35-14 victory over the RAF Vultures who had previously beaten the Mariners 32-3 at RAF Halton. The Mariners were therefore determin...
