Sandy Park End-to-End Thriller

The Senior Men produced a spirited display against Exeter Chiefs, matching their Premiership‑level opponents with power and intent. Despite a 40–26 defeat, the Navy stood toe‑to‑toe for 80 minutes. It was a valuable final test, offering confidence and momentum as they turn their focus to the RAF and the British Army.

With temperatures in Devon hitting over 20 degrees during the day, The Royal Navy and the Exeter Chiefs players were probably quite glad that the Kick Off for this game was at 1930 rather than 1500! Especially as they served up a brilliant end to end game for the 1900 people that came to Sandy Park to watch. The Chiefs Team was a real mix of youth and Premiership/ European experience which gave the Navy a great final test prior to the Inter Services competition starting in 10 days’ time. It was a test they stood toe to toe with for the full 80 minutes and more than held their own.

The Chiefs hit their straps early with a converted try after 4 minutes after a line break and some good inter passing. But the Navy were straight back in it and worked their way up field to earn a penalty kick to touch and a brilliantly controlled driving lineout saw Sam Matavesi go over for the score. He had always played well at Sandy Park as a Northampton Saints player in the Premiership and would do exactly the same returning as a Navy one. The RN pack were really getting to grips with their opponents in all aspects of forward play and were particularly impressive in the set piece.

Just to prove that point Sam repeated the feat 20 minutes later when another catch and drive led to his second try in very similar circumstances. This one was converted by Jake Hanley to make the score 14 - 12 with 10 minutes of the half remaining. Two quick tries in succession for the Chiefs ended the half with the score at 26 - 12.

With the RN making a number of changes at halftime, you would think that the continuity would maybe ease off, but nothing of the sort happened. In terms of scoring the second half was a 14 - 14 draw but that doesn’t tell the whole story, with the Navy side in this game right until the final minute when a mistake while attacking and trying to level the score ended up with the Chiefs going 60 meters downfield with virtually the last play of the game to score and convert, giving the final scoreline a slightly skewed perspective of how the match panned out.

The Navy came flying out of the traps after the restart and were quickly camped in the Exeter 22 when they went for another catch and drive opportunity in the second minute of the half. This one was finished off by Will Rigelsford and neatly converted by Jake Hanley and the Navy were back to only one score behind.

There was then a period of the two sides making changes and cancelling each other out with some great attacking play met with equally skilful and robust defence. The Chiefs went over next at the 25-minute mark to take the score out to 33 - 19. Another period of end to end play with neither team able to score was ended emphatically by Jack Davis with 9 minutes to go as he took a crash ball and skittled over a few Exeter defenders on his way to scoring between the posts, the conversion from George Edson made the score 33 - 26 with the RN looking for a final score to tie the match.

It wasn’t to be however, a misjudged kick from the RN while attacking allowed the Chiefs backfield players to make a lot of ground downfield which ultimately ended up with them scoring in the final minute to end the match at 40 - 26.

A great game to watch and one from which the RN, and new Head Coach Ben Priddey and his team, will take a great deal from as the focus firmly switches towards the game against the RAF at Northampton Saints CINCH Stadium on Saturday 17 April. It promises to be a great occasion, and the team would love to see as many RN supporters in the crowd as possible.

Senior Men: K Beasley, S Matavesi, B Watson (C); D Johnson, E Pascoe; C Mills, B Mallett, R Vakalutukali; J Toogood, J Hanley, F Elliott, J Bartlett, M Wacokecoke, T Briggs, C Duncan (VC).

Replacements: J Wright, K Alton, D Cleverley, M Scott, A O’Brien, R Hawkshaw, W Rigelsford, G Edson, B Raivalitia, H Mayes, J Davis, H Utton-Smith.

Words by Paul Clark

Images by Harry Trump for JH Media