Torbay Sharks take a bite out of the RN Academy

The match between the RN Academy Team and their now regular opponents from the Torbay Sharks was moved from a waterlogged Recreation Ground to the 5G pitch at Keyham. This turned out to be a great decision as the match was played in dry, albeit breezy conditions and saw both teams use those conditions and surface to produce some excellent running rugby resulting in over 60 points scored on the night!

The mood for the contest was set in the first exchanges with some very hard running from both sides being met with some thunderous tackling. The big runs and big hits were a theme that continued until the final whistle. However, it wasn’t all bludgeon, there were also many rapier moments with great angles being cut to slide through gaps and offloads galore to enable multi-phase rugby which was enjoyed by the not inconsiderable number of hardy spectators that turned up to watch.

It was clear from those watching that the set piece was going to be a struggle for the RN side on the night with their lineout being picked off by the opposition jumpers or being penalised for not straight throw ins. The scrum was also put under pressure by the Sharks eight but the Academy pack dug in and caused problems with their aggressive carries and tough first up defence.

The scoring was opened in the 9th minute when Sharks winger Jordan Hellier went over for his first try of what would be a first half hat trick.

Charlie Dore added a second for the Sharks 15 minutes later after a period of sustained pressure and several penalties in the RN half with a great conversion added by Ben Brugge who kicked well all evening.

The RN got on the board on the half hour with a well-executed move from a 5m scrum with the blindside winger Charlie Over picking a superb line to cut through and score between the posts. Harry Mayes chipped over the conversion to make the score 7 - 12.

The Sharks used the wind at their backs well in the first half with some excellent kicking out of hand with Jack Mayne and Dave Siddle picking out a couple of 50/22 opportunities. This territorial advantage was used well by the Sharks who scored 2 more converted tries in the final minutes of the half by Jordan Hellier, with both converted by Ben Brugge to leave the score 7 - 26 at the break

HT RN ACADEMY 7 – 26 TORBAY SHARKS

The Sharks added to their lead 12 minutes into the second half with Josh Southworth finishing off another period of pressure to dot down in the corner with the try being awarded after consultation between the referee and his assistant.

However, the Academy lads dug deep and worked their way upfield minutes later to get a try under the posts after some great multi-phase team play finished off by Robbie Hawkshaw. There was then a period of consultation between all three officials which eventually led to a red card for the Sharks centre for a high tackle that was deemed to reach the threshold for a red.

The RN team were soon threatening again after several penalties by the Sharks giving them good field position. One of those penalties was tapped quickly by Robbie Hawkshaw who went over for his second in short order. With the conversion by Harry Mayes successful the score was now 19 - 31and a comeback was on.

The comeback could have been stopped in its tracks as soon as it had begun a few minutes later but a Jekyll and Hyde moment for the Sharks gave the RN some hope. A brilliant interception by a Sharks player on the halfway line and an excellent footrace with the RN covering defender saw him go over the line under the posts to then inexplicably drop the ball as he placed it down! This writer won’t mention his name to save embarrassment……but he did score a hat trick in the first half!

A moment of ill-discipline from both sides saw a couple of yellow cards before the Sharks stretched away in the final minutes to score 2 more tries.

The first was a great period of play finished when fly half Dave Siddle put a delightful cross field kick pass into the arms of Josh Southworth to score his second of the half. The final move of the match saw a final try, an all team, multi-phase effort finished off by the player who cannot be named, who got his fourth try of the game, converted by Ben Brugge before the final whistle was blown.

FT RN ACADEMY 19 – 43 TORBAY SHARKS

A few things to work on for the RN Academy side and their TSG before taking on the RAF Development side in their next fixture.

Head Coach Ritchie Ives said, “I enjoyed the physicality and the competition with a lot of great hits from both sides. But we are disappointed our set piece didn’t function as we had hoped and trained. If it had, we could have had a better result.”

As is traditional the opposing team picked the player of the match with the Sharks Team Manager, Russ Baker picking out the RN’s pair of Scotts, Matt and Will for their offensive carries and defensive tackling.

The Sharks player of the match was Dan Williams who will likely also turn out when the Sharks Veterans Team continues the over a decade long rivalry and friendship with the RN Mariners at Teignmouth RFC on Wednesday 25th February with a 1915 kick off.

Academy: G Kelly, B Weatherill, J Devereux; C Kerr, M Scott (C); W Scott, H Bateman, C Postle; C Attwood, H Mayes, B Loga, J Copner, P Valegatu, C Over, M Watkins.

Replacements: J Young, R Hawkshaw, E Bailey, H Utton-Smith, A Asherton, B Wade, A Garton.

Words by Paul Clark

Images by jhmedia