Navy Rugby - The Big Prizes Elude Us!
Inter-Services Rugby Linton 7–11 September
The official welcome was held at the Linton Main Mess; the Camp Commander opened the Tournament and wished all the best of luck on the field as well as off it.
- Navy 19 vs Air 19
Player of the Day: AHSO Greg Carter
- Navy 15 vs Army 13
Player of the Day: LMT Heath Haua
Our Navy team performed well overall. It was a hard fought match against Army and our victory was well earned. Our team should have beaten Air Force, to win the tournament out right. Unfortunately the draw, and the tournament points system meant that the Army retained the KGV Cup.
NZDF Selections: The Navy had two selected for the NZDF Team management: CPOPTI Ray Climo (Forwards Coach) and CPOCSS (A) Dean Fielding (Team Manager). And congratulations to the players selected this year from the Navy to play at NZDF level:
- POWTR John Taurua
- POCSS (A) Elton Pohatu
- POMT (P) Tim Henricksen
- LCSS Wentini Reti
- ACH Te Hau
- Mr Sam Houghton
- LT Damian Gibbs
- ODR Piri Repia
- LMT Heath Haua
- LT Andy Longley
- ASCS Stevie O’Brien
International Navy Rugby the Commonwealth Cup
In the opening match of the Commonwealth Cup in Plymouth the RNZN rugby team defeated the RAN by 45–12. The match was played in front of a crowd exceeding 1200 and we produced a sound all round display, despite the conditions. In doing so the RNZN won the Shelford/Stokes International Shield (RAN vs RNZN) which had been contested for the first time.
When the RNZN played the RN, the conditions were poor with persistent light rain falling throughout the match. We opened the scoring with an early try. The RN side fought back with three penalties to lead at half time. We scored a second try early in the second half to regain the lead, but a converted try halfway in the period gave the RN the lead again. Despite valiant attempts by out team, the RN defended until the end, winning 16–10.
The RNZN had one more game, where we defeated the RN President’s Selection 35-19, in a free-flowing match which saw all the RNZN squad getting time on the pitch.
The Kiwis then became supporters of the RAN, who played the RN in the final match of the tournament. But the RN ran out convincing winners over the RAN by 34–11. The RN led 34-nil at half time with the RAN pulling back a couple of late tries in the second half.
This result confirmed the RN as this year’s winner of the Commonwealth Cup, the RNZN placed second and the RAN coming in third. As a result of his barnstorming play at No 8, LT Damian Gibbs RNZN was named player of the tournament.
The RNZN also had seven players selected for the tournament Barbarians team which played the Plymouth Albion President’s Select XV (a Cornwall/Devon County selection) before our squad left the UK to come home.
A photo essay next month!
The Commonwealth Cup Tournament
- 6 Oct Royal New Zealand Navy vs Royal Australian Navy
- 9 Oct RN Rugby Union President’s Select XV v Royal Australian Navy
- 9 Oct Royal Navy v Royal New Zealand Navy
- 12 Oct RN Rugby Union President’s Select XV v Royal New Zealand Navy
- 12 Oct Royal Navy v Royal Australian Navy
- 13 Oct A combined RAN/RNZN team v Tavistock RU Club to raise money for the Help for Heroes charity, while the players also visited Tavistock schools.
- 15 Oct Combined Nations Barbarians v Plymouth Albion President’s Select XV
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