RNRU Royal Navy Rugby Union

The Royal Navy Women took to the field at Imber Court, London, on a cold afternoon to face a strong combined Fire and Police Service team containing a number of ex-international and premiership players. This was the return fixture after the RN hosted the Fire Service in Portsmouth last season.

The Fire and Police Service made a strong start, scoring 2 tries early on. The Royal Navy regrouped and focussed on their defensive play, putting in place the systems that the coaches had been drilling into the team during training. However, the F&P Service backs combined well with their forwards and made the most of quick hands to get the ball wide to their pace on the wings. The F&P Service No 8 was integral to many of their attacks making strong breaks through the gain line that lead to some well worked tries by the F&P Service backs.

It was encouraging to see that the Royal Navy line out was much improved which, combined with the strong kicking of AB Sam Alderson, gave the RN an advantage that can be taken forward in future matches. With an inexperienced front row, the RN scrum battled throughout the match and did well to remain in the fight for the entire game. ETME Sophia Dockerty put in a good performance at prop and new player, Mid Lottie Myrans impressed at hooker.

The Royal Navy’s defensive play improved during the match, with LWtr Lauren Morton, Lt Helen Stevenson and AB Stacey Hargrave covering a lot of ground to put in important tackles. However, tackle of the match goes to AB Maggie Bevan-Smith, a new-comer to both the team and rugby, who having come on as a replacement with 15 minutes to go put in a crushing tackle to stop a F&P Service break.

Despite the score-line, there were a lot of positives for the coaches and players to take away from the game. There are clearly areas that need further work but for the first game of the season against tough opposition, the Royal Navy Women should be proud of their performance.

Forward of the Match: LWtr Lauren Morton
Back of the Match: AB Sam Alderson

Team: 

1. ETME Sophia Dockerty
2. Mid Lottie Myrans
3. POMA Kate Parkman
4. NNS Alice Kightley
5. Lt Helen Stevenson
6. LPT Andrea Marshall
7. LWtr Lauren Morton
8. AB Stacey Hargrave
9. Mid Olivia Critchley
10. AB Sam Alderson
11. Lt Cdr Kirsty Marlor
12. MA Nikki Elvidge
13. POAWT Emma Swinton
14. Lt Laura Blagdon
15. Lt Lizzie Grant (Capt)
16. AB Maggie Bevan-Smith