Clinical Women Dominate HMPPS RFC

The Royal Navy Senior Women secured a dominant 76-0 victory over HM Prison & Probation Service RFC in a clinical International Women’s Day showcase. The twelve-try performance highlighted the squad’s cohesion and attacking flair under the lights at Newbold on Avon RFC.

Following a pre-match training camp in Portsmouth, the Navy joined a five-team festival featuring the Army Development side, Civil Service, and GB Fire Service. Under the evening floodlights, the Navy dictated the tempo from the opening whistle. In a powerful display of togetherness and skill to mark International Women’s Day, the Royal Navy Senior Women delivered a clinical performance against HMPPS.

The scoring opened just two minutes in with a direct, bruising carry through the midfield by Laika Swain, setting the tone at 7 - 0. The Navy immediately doubled their lead when Flo Mullett again demonstrated her blistering pace, finishing a slick-hands move out wide.

The pressure was relentless. Josie Parnaby exploited gaps in the HMPPS defensive line for her first try, followed shortly by Holly Cole, who executed a perfect chip-and-chase to score under the posts. Parnaby secured her brace in the 18th minute by sniping from the base of the ruck before the defence could settle. Before the interval, Beth Wilcox and Mullett added further scores through disciplined support play, taking the halftime lead to 45 - 0.

The second half allowed for positional experimentation and squad bonding. While HMPPS mounted several spirited attacks, the Navy’s defensive line held firm to maintain an impressive clean sheet.

The offensive masterclass continued as Mullett added two more to her personal tally, finishing the night with four tries. Adrianne Baker and Rachel Marley also crossed the whitewash, while Holly Cole and Libby Fox remained consistent off the tee, combined for eight conversions.

Beyond the lopsided scoreline, the fixture served as a vital building block for squad cohesion and a fitting tribute to the growth of women’s rugby within the services.

Senior Women: Rachel Marley, Rebecca Addis, Lucy Honeybell;  Jess Shaw, Rosie Staples; Beth Wilcox, Josie Parnaby (C), Laika Swain;

Georgia Adams, Cheryl Goodwin (VC), Flo Mullett, Rose Dixon, Jas Abel, Holly Cole, Jo Banks.

Replacements: A Baker, M Bryce, L Fox, M Douglass, D Leonard.

Words by Guy Pallet

Images by Max Ross