RNRU Royal Navy Rugby Union

The Royal Navy Rugby Union President's XV battled against a hardened Exmouth RFC XV on a cold, crisp evening at Keyham.  The game, played under floodlights, had been rearranged due to a waterlogged pitch allowing home advantage to the President's however despite a flurry of late scores, Exmouth held on the claim the win.

The RNRU President's started strongly, they held on to possession, dominated the territory and stretched the Exmouth RFC defence and took the lead when Exmouth started offside at the breakdown allowing the RNRU inside centre to slot over the opening score to lead 3 - 0 after 4 minutes.  The next period was again dominated by the RNRU President's however despite playing all the rugby in the Exmouth half they were unable to convert the passion into points and only held on to the lead due to some last ditch cover tackles and turn overs.  Midway through the 1st half Exmouth began to gain a foothold into the game.  Having absorbed the RNRU President's pressure they began to exert some pressure of their own. The RNRN President's, showing some frailties in defence began to get penalised at the breakdown which ultimately lead to the first of Exmouth's tries.  After kicking to touch deep into the RNRU President's territory, Exmouth squeezed over the try line to register the first of their tries.  With the conversion missed Exmouth led 3 - 5.  Whilst the RNRU President's competed at the set pieces, showed some glimpses of deft footwork and neat interplay between the backs and forwards it was their ill-discipline which allowed Exmouth RFC to extend the lead into half time.  Twice RNRU were penalised which lead to carbon copies of the first try.  Kick to touch, line out win and despite valiant effort, the RNRU President's were unable to counter the drive by the strong Exmouth forward pack and conceded two more tries and went into half time with the score 3 - 17.

The RNRU President's utilized their large squad and despite many replacements began the second half began very much like the first half, taking the game to Exmouth.  They were rewarded with the opening score of the half when, after a line break the President's went over the try line to reduce the deficit with a converted try by RNRU President inside centre.  With the score 10 - 17 it wasn’t long before the RNRU President's were back on par with Exmouth.  The deft footwork of the back line, combined with the great supporting running lines resulted in another try for the RN and with 20 minutes there was everything to play for with the scores level at 17 -  17. It was now that Exmouth began to take charge of the game.  They wore the RNRU defence down by stretching them and scored two quick tries to open up a 10 point lead.  With 3 minutes remaining the RNRU showed their mettle and scored a delightful try to reduce the deficit to just 5 points, 22 - 27.  With just enough time for the restart the RNRU President's were looking for a score that would give them a victory.  They reclaimed the kick off and looked to find the score that would give them the win.  Credit to Exmouth RFC they repelled any attack and with the RNRU trying to force the game Exmouth picked up a loose pass and ran in a converted try with the last action of the game.  A pleasing match for the President's XV, with many learning points and Exmouth ran out deserved winners 22 - 34.

Team List:

1. AET Love
2. SLt Gill
3. Mid Bentley
4. SLt Boulton
5. AB Hughan
6. Cpl Warwick
7. Lt Tindle
8. LCpl Stevens
9. AET Moore
10. Mne Carter
11. ET Griggs
12. ET Benzie (Team Captain)
13. LET Jones
14. Mne Williams
15. Mne Gobey

1. Mne Oliffe
2. Lt Salt
3. Mne Cheshire
4. Logs Bartlett
5. LET Penman
6. AB Wood
7. SLt Burrows
8. AET Mills

Words by Tom Westwood
Images Royal Navy Rugby Union © Mark Andrews