Whistler Ends Season on High Note
Navy Society member, Steve Harland, is finishing the season with two prestigious appointments. First the Combined Services invited him to referee the show piece match of the Navy's Centenary season on the 4 April when the Navy 1st XV take on the Barbarians at Plymouth and then the RFU invited him to referee the Powergen Vase Final at Twickenham. Commenting on the appointments Steve, who is one of the Navy's most senior referees, said; "To be appointed to the Navy Barbarians match was a great honour. The Barbarians must be the most famous club in the world of rugby with such a fantastic history behind them. To have the opportunity to referee a match in which they are involved is a referee's dream. However when the game is against the Navy, in my home city, then that just makes it all the better. Powergen day at Twickenham will also be another great day. With Wasps meeting Llanelli in the first ever Anglo Welsh final there is sure to be a great atmosphere and it was a real honour to be given the opening match of the day when Cleobury Mortimer take on Dorking. I am sure that I will enjoy the occasion as much as the two teams." Chairman of Navy referees, Stew Kilby, also made the following comments; "Naturally the Society is delighted for Steve to be given both appointments and they are just reward for Steve's dedication and ability over a number of seasons. However it is equally pleasing that two other Society members will be on duty at Twickenham for the Powergen finals. Tim Bailey is reserve official for the Morley v Stockport final and Paul Burton is the reserve official for the Bedford v Harlequins Trophy Final. These appointments go to demonstrate how well Society members are performing at the highest levels and reflect well on Navy rugby generally." The Royal Navy take on the Barbarians on Tuesday 4 April, at Brickfields, the home of Plymouth Albion tickets can be obtained online from their website www.plymouthalbion.com. Powergen Finals day is at Twickenham on Sunday 9 April. The first of four matches begins at 10:30 and the day includes the Bedford Blues v NEC Harlequins Trophy Final and the London Wasps v Llanelli Scarlets Cup Final. Tickets are available from the RFU website www.rfu.com.