HMS Sultan squeezed past HMS Heron 14 – 13 in an enthralling cup final at Burnaby Rd. Their two early tries to take a 14 – 3 lead were enough as they defended with great commitment and always looked to play with the ball in hand.
A full album if images from the Portsmouth Area Cup Final can be viewed by clicking here.
Round Up
Royal Navy Mariners
On the same evening the Mariners played their final match before the 2012 Inter Services. They took on a youthful Taunton side and though they went down 21 – 12 showed an improved performance from their previous game. Next up is the Royal Air Force at Navy Rugby’s US Portsmouth home when the Mariners are the second game on the day of rugby (18 April 2012). First up are the Women at 14:00, the Mariners take on the Vultures at 16:00 before the Seniors finish the day at 19:00
Royal Navy President’s XV
The recently formed President’s XV played their first fixture a couple of weeks ago when they played a Middlesex XV. Played the day after the Senior XV played the Irish Defence Forces the team gives opportunities to those on the fringe of higher honours. The game was full of enterprise with both sides looking to move the ball.. Middlesex proved the stronger side and deserved their 42 – 14 win.
Royal Navy Rugby League – The Brothers
A special mention must go to the Brothers. After their excellent win against Leigh Miners they were drawn away from home against Hunslett Hawks for their third round cup match. Although the match was to prove the end of the Brothers’ Carnegie Challenge Cup run they must be extremely proud to have run the Hawks so close. A full match report can be found here.
Next Week
Tuesday 3rd April sees the Senior XV play their final warm up match before the capped games begin and every match is a cup match. It is the first time that the Navy has been at Bath’s famous Recreation GRound for many a year, the last team to have played there being the Royal Navy U23s some four season’s ago. With the pitches firming up it will no doubt be a fast and furious test of the credentials of the the players as they seek selection for the final three games.
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