January 2016

2016 Season starts with a big win for the Royal Navy Women

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2016 Season starts with a big win for the Royal Navy Women

The RNRU(W) couldn’t have started their 2016 Season any better with an energetic display of running rugby under floodlights against Yeovil RFC Ladies at Yeovil Rugby Club.  A flurry of trys in both halves with some excellent defending meant the RNRU(W) were 53 points to 7 winners. The team came together for a 2-day training camp ahead of the game.  They welcomed 5 new players into the squad courtesy of the Grass Roots rugby sessions that were run by the Community Rugby team towards the end of 2015.  For a few it was the first time they had played full contact rugby let alone attend a rugby training camp.  Training at RNAS YEOVILTON provided the team with the ...

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‘Spyda’ Webb Packs His Bags For One Last Time

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 ‘Spyda’ Webb Packs His Bags For One Last Time

As the 422 nd player to represent the Royal Navy Rugby Union and the first and only, non-commissioned officer to become Selector, Spyda Webb’s name will always be engraved in the history of the Union.  However as an extraordinary bagman to the Senior XV and a driving force in promoting the Game, his memory will be etched in to the heart and soul of Navy Rugby.  He will be fondly remembered by all those who were fortunate to work, play and most definitely tour with him. C.M. ‘Spyda’ Martin was born in Shardlow, Derbyshire in April 1949 and joined the Royal Navy in October 1964 as a Junior Electrical Mechanic (2 nd Class).  For the next 35 years he was...

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Attack of the Killer B’s

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Attack of the Killer B’s

No this is not a homage to the acclaimed album from 1990’s thrash metal group, Anthrax, nor to Navy Rugby’s own “B”, Silivenusi Buinimasi.  No it is to welcome Kelly Brown, once part of Scotland’s renowned (and feared) Killer B backrow, which included John Barclay and Johnnie Beattie, to Navy Rugby.  After 64 caps for Scotland, and still a key member of Aviva Premiership leading side, Saracens, Kelly Brown has joined the Senior XV’s coaching team for the lead up to 2016 Inter Services where he will bring his wealth of experience to bare. Having been invited to join the coaching team by Head Coach, Ash Coates, Kelly Brown’s first day ...

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RNRU Presidents XV vs Devonport Services Select XV - Match report

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RNRU Presidents XV vs Devonport Services Select XV - Match report

The RNRU President's XV kicked off 2016 with a game against The Devonport Services' Select XV at the Keyham 4G pitch on a chilly January evening.  This was the second game of their campaign having already beaten Petersfield 38 - 12 prior to Christmas.  After an afternoon of training and drills to integrate the new faces the TSG picked their starting XV ready for the kick off under the lights on the 4G. The President's XV came flying out of the blocks and caught Services cold as they drew first blood inside the first 3 minutes.  LT Alan Kennedy clearing the white wash and MNE Kurt Gledhill adding the extras for an early 7-0 lead.  After the first score both teams sp...

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All change at the top for the Mariners!

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All change at the top for the Mariners!

As they approach the first match of the 2016 season, the Royal Navy Mariners welcome new members to their team.  The over 35s side, crowned Interservices champions in 2015, have a new Assistant Director of Rugby, Cdr Jon Holroyd, and a new head coach, fresh from his success with the Royal Marine team, CSgt Elvet Williams. Jon, soon to take command of 820 Naval Air Squadron, is a Merlin Mk2 ASW Observer who has seen service across most RN ships, those with flight decks that is!  Most of his frontline service has been in the Gulf region, and when not embarked he resided in Cornwall.  It was in Cornwall where he played local rugby, Helston initially, before joining Penryn ...

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