RNRU Royal Navy Rugby Union

The Navy’s grassroots competition, The Navy Cup, ended at Burnaby Road with an entertaining final between HMS Seahawk and HMNB Clyde. With the Inverdale Challenge finished, the Navy Cup is an excellent way for players to get competitive game time towards the end of the season. This year both teams had to negotiate challenging fixtures, but based on the showcase in Portsmouth, the best two teams reached the final.

The first twenty minutes were a tense affair with the both sides conceding numerous penalties in key areas of the pitch leaving the score 9-3 to Seahawk. As the game developed, the experience and size of the Seahawk pack started to show, and they began to dominate the game. Finally, after relentless pressure, Clyde’s defensive line broke and Seahawk scored the game’s first try. Almost immediately after the restart Clyde conceded another penalty, which Tilby slotted to make the score 19-3 and Seahawk were in total control. However, a lapse in concentration from the Naval Airmen allowed Clyde to score their first try of the evening, brining them back into the game. But on the stroke of half time Seahawk regained the initiative with a well worked try, making the score 26-10 at the break.

Unfortunately for HMNB Clyde, Seahawk's dominance in the first half continued into the second with the Naval Airman scoring another two tries making the final score 33-10. Clyde played their part in a cracking final, but the Seahawk pack was just too strong, and gave their backs a great platform to attack.

The Navy Cup is a fantastic competition that gives players of every ability the opportunity to play competitive games.  Community rugby is thriving across the Fleet and the wider Navy, with more games being played across the globe than ever before.

Words by: Oliver Mason
Images: Royal Navy Rugby Union © John Walton