Bath University Pull the Plug on Navy U23s in Second-Half Surge

The U23s kicked off their Inter Services campaign with an away fixture against a formidable Bath University XV, ultimately falling to a 34–14 defeat. The first half was closely contested, with the Navy trailing by just 3 points at the break. However, the second half proved decisive, as the Navy were unable to add to their first-half tally, while the students pulled away with 17 unanswered points.

The first game of the 2025 U23 season allowed the team to travel to the University of Bath (UOB) to play at their brand new 4G pitch at Claverton Down. This would be the first run out of the season for the U23’s and give them the opportunity to put together some patterns of play following the success of this season’s ‘Shakedown’ trials weekend held early in September. It would also be the first competitive fixture headed up by the new coaching setup led by Lt Dec Johnson.

As expected, the game started at a ferocious pace with the students moving the ball at speed with some piercing ball carrying from their large pack. The U23s took a few minutes to establish themselves into the pace of the game, but once they were settled the physical intensity of both teams were evenly matched and there were some bone crunching tackles particularly from new RN number 6 AB Sailosi Tamailebo. It was the students who got the first score after a couple of missed tackles, with the subsequent conversion off target, the score 5 - 0 to the students.

The scrummaging from both sides throughout the first half was tightly contested, but indecision in the RN’s lineout was offering easy territory for the Students, and it wasn’t long before another barnstorming run from the UOB backrow broke the stern RN defensive line to allow a simple canter over. The conversion being missed again, this put the students 10-0 on top after only 20 minutes.

The group needed rallying, some technical advice from new forwards head coach Sam Matavesi seemed to do the trick with the RN set piece and wide defence starting to suffocate the students; the game was evenly matched through long periods of possession. Despite this, a simple break away try from the UOB started to offer some breathing space for the students.

The RN, led by co-captains AB Ben Smith and Mne Freddy Elliot were not about to lie down. Elliot in particular was having a stellar game, alongside the experienced AB George Edson in the midfield, both were starting to find their rhythm. After a period of strong carries from the RN pack, and marshalled well by scrum half PLAET Ewan Bailey, it was AET Weatherill who crashed over for the first RN score. Converted by Edson, the young sailors were off and running. As the rain started to make things slippery, the ball started to become unpredictable and as the referee’s watch approached halftime, it was Edson who scampered through a gap to touchdown under the posts. The Halftime score 17-14 to the students.

The second half started much in the same vein as the first, big physical tackles on an unforgiving surface. Several players from both teams being substituted as a precaution after picking up injuries. This disrupted the Navy’s flow, and their set pieces started to falter. A few quick tries from the UOB backs extended their lead which the RN could find no answer to. With the benches emptied and the students showing how much strength they have in depth, the scoreline started to run away from the Navy with the Students winning 34 - 14.

An excellent first run out for the RN U23s which has produced a lot of positives for the coaching staff and players.

Declan Johnson reflected, "In our first week together, the team set clear goals for their debut, focusing on playing for one another and showing defensive commitment. Despite many new faces and limited training numbers, the group delivered on what they could control. Against a well-drilled Bath side, with players together for up to three years, the team showed commitment, desire, and pride in representing.

Defensively, we performed well, forcing Bath to work hard for their points, especially in the first 60 minutes. In attack, there were glimpses of the shape we worked on during the week, which we aim to build on ahead of Pompey next week.

The scrum was solid, but the lineout needs to become a more reliable platform for launching our play.

The team should be proud of their efforts against a strong Bath side, showing exciting potential and a resilient mindset to build on as we prepare for IS in November."

An excellent first run out for the RN U23s which has produced a lot of positives for the coaching staff and players; the U23s next taken on Portsmouth University at Burnaby Road on 1 Oct, KO 1830.

Navy U23s: B Wheatherill, B Chaston, J Devereux; H Utton-Smith, F Harvey; S Tamailebo, B Smith (CC), H Royle; E Bailey, S Javes, H Johnston, G Edson, F Elliott, J Cross, J Spence.

Replacements: ⁠ A Lynch, D Pescadore-Smith, O Doyle, T Gotts, G Robins, J Vonoyauyau, L Leeman, J Perry,
F Walls.

Words by Matt Bowden

Images by Jez Hulm & Keith Woodland