November 2013

Combined Services v Barbarians Remembrance Match

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The Combined Services final Men's team selection for the annual Remembrance Day fixture in Plymouth on 12 Nov has been announced. The fixture, against the Barbarians, will be a fiercely contended match and will present a formidable challenge for the team. Spectators should expect a great afternoon and evening of Service rugby at its best. CS Women play Exeter Uni with KO at 1400, followed by CS Men at 1915. The final squad has a few changes from the original announcement. Navy players Kye Beasley, Jack Foster and Jon Humphrey have all been added. If Foster and Humphrey play it will be their first caps for the Combined Services. Foster’s inclusion, only recently returned from ...

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Army Navy – Le Premier Edition

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The now traditional marking of Remembrance Day through rugby with the annual Combined Services match has crossed the English Channel to France.  On Monday, 11 November, the French Army will be playing the Marine Nationale in the inaugural Foch-Ronarc’h challenge. Though the two sides meet in the annual four-way French Inter Services the two sides have instigated a second challenge, with the aim of building the fixture as an event to equate to our own Army Navy match.  The trophy is named after General Foch and Admiral Ronarc’h who served shoulder to shoulder, for France, in the First World War.  The choice of trophy name is perfect for the encounter. ...

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Sussex Downs and Home for Jack

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I can't forget the lane that goes from Steyning to the Ring In summer time, and on the downs how larks and linnets sing High in the sun. The wind comes off the sea, and oh, the air! I never knew till now that life in old days was so fair. But now I know it in this filthy rat-infested ditch, Where every shell must kill or spare, and God alone knows which. And I am made a beast of prey, and this trench is my lair – My God, I never knew till now that those days were so fair, And we assault in half-an-hour, and it's a silly thing: I can't forget the lane that goes from Steyning to the Ring.   Day two and three for the Charity Cycle ride was through t...

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Royal Navy Women Prepart for Combined Services

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On Sunday 10 Nov, 3 members of the RN(W) squad will be joining the Combined Services team to prepare for the Remembrance fixture at HMS Drake. LWtr Lauren Morton (RNPDT&MC), LAC Emily Park (HMS Collingwood) and SLt Helen Stevenson (HMS Collingwood) are looking forward to joining up with the rest of the 23 man squad due to face Exeter University on Tuesday.  After strong performance at the 2013 Inter Services, their selection is very well deserved.  RN(W) Head Coach, Lt Dominic "Bali" Salisbury will be joining them at training in his role as CS(W) Forwards Coach. Combined Services Women v Exeter University Venue  HMS Drake Tuesday Date 12 November KO 14:00 ...

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Apo Satala – Big Hit With All Three Services

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In 2002 I had the privilege to referee my second Senior XV Inter Service match, the RAF v Army at Rotherham RFC.  For most the game will be remembered for a one sided score line, 74-3, which was the biggest ever winning margin at the time.  For some who were there it will also be remembered as the first cap for a very humble man from Lautoka, Fiji; Apolosi Satala.  Apo made a try-scoring debut for the Army Senior XV having already made an impact for the Army at the Cwm Tawe Sevens.  Over the next decade his rugby was to enthral and excite Service rugby followers and earn Apo the enduring respect of those within Navy Rugby who had the misfortune to try and contain is d...

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