Formalities were Observed
As ever the Marine Nationale staged an excellent occassion. Amiral OLiver Lajous and Royal Navy Rugby Union President Admiral Sir Trevor Soar were presented to the teams and after the Quenn and the Marseillaise we were ready.
The Match
The Royal Navy (Women) must look beyond the score (60-5) at remember what was good whilst not forgetting a couple of important lessons that were handed out by the Marine Nationale (F).
The early exchanges were all about the French back line where French International Caroline Ladagnous (13) was outstanding along with the Marine Nationale (F) halfbacks Jody Romero and French player of the match Evangeline Lagueyrie.
Emerging from their shell shock the Navy were, as ever, well led by captain Fredie Fredrickson who was supported by Navy player of the match Andrea Marshall. Navy scored last through Emily Atkins who finally crossed the line after yet again taking the ball up in the close exchanges.
Eventually Navy flyhalf Sarah Jenkins and scrum half Loz Morton were able to bring some positives in to the Navy play. V Vakuruivalu found a little space in which to run, whilst the forwards through amongst others Helen Leach and replacement Paula Bennett-Smith started to carry more purposefully. The tackling, led by Loz, began to have some bite.
The Result
The result is the result but sport always gives another chance and for the Royal Navy Women’s XV it will be on 18th April. What was shared by both teams was a great occasion. After the match both teams watched Le Crunch (more later) and then were hosted on board the BNP Mistral where Mike Homer, of Babcock, presented the player of the match awards.
At the moment the French team are clearly ahead but sport is also all about meeting the challenge. The Navy Women’s team continues to make progress and will be the better for their day in the South of France. The first XV-a-side meeting between the RCMN(F) and RN(W) was not only a historic occasion it also was one where the true values of rugby showed through. And finally for those who were there as Bill McLaren would have said beware a French back line with the sun on their backs. That was certainly the case.
Match report from the ROyal Navy Rugby Union is available here.
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