RNRU Royal Navy Rugby Union

Royal Navy Under 23s succumb to the Army in Plymouth

Inter Service rugby returned as the Royal Navy and Army Under 23s battled for bragging rights in Plymouth last night, but ultimately the first half dominance from the Army was enough to take the spoils.

Plymouth Albion’s Brickfields ground was the venue for the first match between the Army and Navy for 2 years and there was a sizeable crowd, eager to add their voice to the occasion. With the game being played the day before Armistice Day the match was preceded by buglers from HM Band Royal Marines and a 2 minute silence.

The Royal Navy choose to take the kick off playing towards the clubhouse end of the stadium and an immediate penalty at the first scrum gave the Army the chance to exit their own half and to set up 40 minutes of pressure within Royal Navy territory.

Within 2 minutes the RN had given away a kickable penalty and the Army took their opportunity to go 3-0 up. Play again was focused within the car park half of the stadium with the Army having the lion’s share of possession and if not for some sloppy handling could have extended their lead.

Both sides were exceptionally committed to the contact area and on 10 minutes into the game the passion spilled over and a few players were cautioned by the referee after some over zealous running towards the incident.

Another penalty on 14 minutes put the Army 6-0 up but a cross field kick that was knocked towards the RN Line by an unknown hand was the catalyst for the first try of the night which this was followed by a good phase of play where quick hands and an overlap put the Army fly half in for a score in the same corner. Both tries were converted from out wide and the score was 20-0.

Handling errors meant the Army failed to capitalise on their possession and an RN line that didn’t quite click meant the Navy were struggling to make use of an ever growing Arm penalty count. Marine Kane Teear-Bourge was fortunate to stay on the pitch after 2 failed incercepts within his own 22 metre line. Half time score Royal Navy 0 - Army 20.

The Army came out quickly in the second half and broke through the Navy’s defence for the pick of the evening’s tries on 42 minutes but that was the end of their highlights for the evening. The Royal Navy side started to dominate the collision and their set piece was proving a lot more proficient, what resulted was another half spent almost entirely at the Car Park end.

The Royal Navy however could not finish the chances they created, even when the Army went down to 13 men due to a sky high penalty count. OC Jack Mills was courageous in every contact he took the ball into and Marine Dingemans was always threatening on the counter attack but the Navy simply couldn’t breach the Army’s line. In order to get the scoreboard ticking the RN chose to have AB Raynor kick 2 penalties in front of the post and these proved to be the only points for the Royal Navy Under 23s.

With the game deep into injury time the Army threatened one last time but they were held up over the line and after the ball went dead from the resulting goal line drop out the referee blew his whistle and the Army were able to celebrate.

Fleet Commander and Royal Navy Rugby Union Vice President Vice Admiral Andrew Burns presented the Army Navy cup to a jubilant Army side with the Navy looking on at what could have been had they taken their chances. The match had been played in great spirit and it was great to see competitive Inter Service rugby back in Plymouth. Next up the Royal Navy Under 23s will be hoping that the RAF turn over the Army prior to visiting them on the 24th of November.

Royal Navy Under 23 side:

1. AET Jack Johnston, 2. AET Connor Thurgood, 3. AB Dom Cleverley, 4. AB Dan McAdams ©,  5. AET Andy Watson,  6. AET Sam Jenkins, 7. Lt Keaton Leyland-Jones RN,  8. OC Jack Mills,  9. AB Bailey Angliss,  10. AET Jay Toogood, 11. Mne Kane Teear-Bourge, 12. Mne George Prentice,  13. AB Ollie Raynor, 14. AET Jack Davis, 15. Mne Rory Dingemans

16. AB James Wales, 17. LH Jack Harvey, 18. AET Ben Rees, 19. AB Sanders-Mortimer, 20. AB Rhys Owen, 21. AB Charlie Penrose-Toms, 22.AB Cameron Dale, 23. OC Freddie Marsden