For those who know me then you are fully aware of the importance I have always put on performance but I have also stressed and everyone should remember that the Inter Services are all about getting two results and last night the Navy scraped over the line to get their first.
The team are fortunate that rugby is not one of the sports like diving, gymnastics or indeed downhill ski jumping where style count towards the results. If the Sky cameras had been at the game then the stats gurus would have delighted the Air Force followers with the various metrics that pointed to Air Force superiority. Alas when the clocked ticked to 80 minutes the only statistic that counts showed the Royal Navy 13 the Royal AIr Force 6.
He Came Late
He Went Early
But In Between………………
With the return of Ben Priddy to the front row, Gaz Evans was reverted to 8 and Ian Cooper was relegated to the bench and had to wait impatiently to get his chance of some action. However the submariner’s influence on the game was cut short when he became the fourth member of the Navy team to see the Yellow Card of referee Dai Williams. However for the short time he was on the field……..
Yellow Cards and Bollockings
Following three against Marine Nationale the Navy decided to go one better by raising the stakes to four yellow cards. First influential flanker Sam Laird was despatched, followed by Kyle Mason, Jorgi Quanivalu and then finally Ian Cooper.
Man of the Match
Three players stood out.
New Caps
Congratulations to Aaron Hunt who following his senior debut in 2007 and many games along the way finally one his first cap. He became the 698th member of the Navy Rugby Silver tie club. Also congratulations go to Hugo Mitchell-Heggs who came off the bench to win his first cap.
RAF Day Images
All images from the RN v RAF, second round, of the Babcock Inter Service Rugby Championship can be found by clicking here.
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