From Richmond to Rags

After last year’s humbling at The Richmond Athletic Ground where the Army won 49 – 5, the 2026 instalment proved that there is still a chasm between the 2 sides as the men in red went one better breaking the half century mark this time around with the Royal Navy Mariners scoring a solitary consolation try.

The well-attended RAG was alive with anticipation as the Mariners met the British Army Masters. From the opening whistle, the Army Masters imposed themselves physically and territorially, driving hard through the forwards and earning the first score of the afternoon with the Navy failing to secure their own lineout in the 22.

An overly complicated lineout allowed the Masters to steal the ball undoing the penalty advantage and resultant territory. The Mariners suffered at scrum time with retreating No.8 Jim McLauchlan and scrum half Ryan Cox digging deep to get the ball out. The Army enjoyed the opportunities this presented as they shot forward to disrupt the Navy’s first phase strike plays.

One thing the Navy can take plaudits for was continually making the Masters work hard down the flanks with the first three scores in the corners making the kicking beyond the Army’s range.

A huge kick, having been on the receiving end of a late tackle, from Jez Parsons put the ball at the Army 5m line, another lineout failure and one of their best chances of the half went begging.

Ill discipline from the Army hooker saw him amble off to the sinbin. With the lineout again not functioning, the Masters were able to relieve the pressure and clear their lines against the numerically stronger blue pack. A moment of Saberton sparkle and a quick penalty brought the Navy supporters to their feet but as quickly as the ball was tapped, it was knocked on and half time was called.

British Army Masters 24 – 0 Royal Navy Mariners

A speculative pass and fumble in midfield gifted the Army early territory and a penalty that they couldn’t capitalise on. No sooner had Matt Horton cleared the ball over the halfway it was quickly back through red hands challenging the Navy line.

The Army hooker returned from the bin to steer a strong scrum in the Navy 22, a simple wrap and Owain Davies, the red 10, was over the line adding a conversion to his earlier penalty.

Davies quickly turned villain as he was carded for a professional foul at the breakdown. The lineouts continued to be the Navy’s stumbling block as the Army fought back with a penalty clearance. Numerous infringements followed as the Army rolled deeper into the Navy half.

An interception try for the Army ended a particularly successful period of play for the Navy. With Horton moving to first receiver from fullback the Navy were putting together some nice phases. Finding themselves back under the posts would have been galling.

2 quick fire Army tries rubbed further salt into the wound. The first was a sprint from the halfway and the second a carry untouched through the middle. The Navy finally saved their blushes and avoided being zeroed with replacements Tom Blackburn and Stevie Hillman riding the tackles, Ryan Cox offloading and Hillman, back in the action, getting over the line.

A tough ask for the Mariners to beat the Army; if their lineout had functioned would we have seen a different outcome!?

British Army Masters 58 – 5 Royal Navy Mariners

Mariners: C Carr (VC), E Gaught, A John; L John, N Copland; H Mitchell-Heggs, H Hales, J McLauchlan; R Cox, J Parsons, A McCrohan (C), M Southern, D Waryck, P Saberton, M Horton.

Replacements: C Olliffe, S Winfield, T Blackburn, A Riley, V Valemei, S Hillman, J Acaster, M Hutton

Words by J Campbell-Baldwin

Images by SoCo