His place in Navy Rugby history is assured. It is unlikely that any Servicemen will ever play in more Inter Service matches in the UK. However last week Bob Armstrong clearly felt the need to add another paragraph to his extensive rugby CV. The plan was to represent the Invitation XV when they played the Royal Marines for the Hasler Charity Bowl. The match was played at Plymouth Albions’ Brickfield ground in order to raise funds for C Group, which provides support to Royal Marines injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. The reality was that he ended up playing for both sides in a match conducted by that refereeing maestro from Bath, Tony Spreadbury. Reports as to the details of the match are varied but by common consent it can be reported that the Royal Marines eventually won 46 – 36 in an end to end exciting high tempo match.
Navy Rugby Golf Day
Navy Rugby hosted a successful golf day this week at the Meon Valley Marriott Resort. Not only was the event sponsored by long term Navy Rugby supporters Peter Cooper Group but under team captain Darren Cooper they also won the event.
A selection of images from the day can be viewed by clicking here.
“Golf is a game whose aim is to hit a very small ball into an even smaller hole, with weapons singularly ill-designed for the purpose.” Winston Churchill
Field Gun Double for Navy Coach
Navy Senior XV forwards coach, Clayton Patilla, achieved a first this season when he coached the winning crews for both the RNRMC Field Gun and the Junior Leaders Field Gun, sponsored by Network Rail, competition. As No1 for both teams he oversaw a winning run of 1:19.88 as HMNB Portsmouth lifted the Brickwoods Trophy and a winning run of 1:22.8 as BAE Systems ended Network Rail’s strangle hold on the Junior Leaders event. Images from both events are on view under the Action Photography tab.
A pseudo navy Rugby TSG crew seemed to be running in the guise of HMS Excellent at the RNRMC Field Gun. With former Navy Rugby Team Manager Glen Young as No 1 and top Navy Referee Tim Bailey as FGO and Track Judge the crew included Navy Rugby coach, Billy May, and former Navy Team Manager Bill Parry. The team came third over all in a very credible time of 1:22.13.
More Field Gun information is available on the Navy’s PDEV website that can be found by clicking here.
The Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity are now the headline sponsor for field gun and information on their excellent work can be found by clicking here.
West Country 7s
The Navy Sharks embark on the second leg of their 2012 rugby sevens development odyssey this weekend when they take part in the West Country Sevens. The event includes some of the biggest names in the English Sevens game including the British Army who have already won both Richmond Rocks and Bournemouth 7s Tournaments. Hopefully the weather will hold off for Sam Cuff and the Sharks as they look to continue the development of some of Navy Rugby’s future core players.
The other Sharks team in the tournament are the Samurai Sharks. Samurai Sharks one the last event the Navy entered, the WIld Boar Sevens. At the West Country event they will be coached by Navy Rugby coach Billy May. Hopefully the Sharks will not meet.
Wales 45 Afghanistan 0
Look beyond the scoreline to what is a remarkable and ongoing journey for Afghan rugby. At the RAF Spitfire organised Jubilee Sevens the Afghanistan national sevens team were well beaten in their group by Wales’ development team. However to have travelled so far (figuratively and literally) to even be at the event is a great achievement. Well done to the RAF Spitfire Sevens team for making it happen. The link below is a YouTube clip of the match and should bring a satisfied smile to the Servicemen from all three arms of the UK Forces that have helped Afghanistan Rugby on its way.
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