Old Rivalries Renewed in Early Season Fixture

With the 2026/27 rugby season now in full swing, it was the turn of the RNRU to kick off its season with a number of fixtures this week. One of which was the old rivalry between the Fleet Air Arm and the Royal Marines. This one was played on a chilly Plymouth evening at the Recreation Ground, the home of National League 2 West side Devonport Services RFC.

With the scorching summer now all but a memory the two sides took the field on an autumnal evening in what would be a great game of rugby. 

From the team sheets it was clear both sides were looking to take the spoils in this early season game and so it proved with and end to end first half with some great stuff being played by both sides. 

The scoring started early with the FAA going over for the games opening score at the 5-minute mark, scored by hooker David Scoot. The Royals replied 15 minutes later with another hookers try, this time from Kian Goldsmith, Rich Cadywould’s conversion gave the Marines an early 5-7 lead.

The lead lasted only about 5 minutes as the FAA got back onto the front foot with some great running rugby with centre Jack Davis getting over the line to take a 10-7 lead. 

This would end up being the halftime score but the decent crowd that had made the trip to Devonport had been treated to some great rugby in which both sides attacking and particularly defensive play was very evenly matched. 

HT FAA 10 – 7 RM 

The second half would have a different theme though with the RM side pulling away from their WAFU opponents. 

The opening try would be scored after some great handling and running from the Marines with two players that have donned the colours of the host club this season pivotal. Fin White who is normally a back row, playing in the second row tonight (and would also end up having a stint at prop before the game was over!!) made a great run and off loaded to No 8 Charlie Crawley for the score, with Cadywould adding the extras the RM side took a 10-14 lead and one they wouldn’t relinquish. 

Crawley would have a big hand in the next try as his powerful break and offload gave an easy run in to score between the posts by Liam Ducker, a third successful conversion pushing the score out to 10-21. The RM back row players were having a huge influence and an interception from Fin White and another lay off gave the next score to openside Jordan O’Neil, another ‘Cads’ conversion and the RM were moving out of sight with a 10-28 lead. The only blot on the RM back row copybook would be a yellow card for O’Neil on the hour mark after a few penalty infringements near their own line. However, his teammates helped him out and kept out all attempts the FAA made to try and claw back a score. 

The Royals soon broke away from defensive duties, and a brilliant try was scored by full back John Tyler after an impressive run which included several dummies, sidesteps and a great turn of speed to score an individual try. With Cadywould remaining faultless from the tee, the score pushed out to 10-35. 

A final try in the last minute by the replacement back row, again converted made the final score 10-42. Huge congratulations to both teams for putting on a great display and to the RM side for the win and very impressive second half. 

FT FAA 10 – 42 RM 

The focus now switches to both the U23’s who continue their preparations for their Inter Services campaign by playing away at Brixham, and the Women’s Development side who take on Plymouth Academicals at Plymouth Albion RFC. Both games are on Wednesday 04 Nov with the U23’s kicking off at 1915 and the Women’s Development side starting at 1730. This game will be followed by the annual fixture between the Royal Marines vs Medics. 

FAA: K Alton, D Scoot, B Watson (C); H Michie, C Kerr; E Deadman, J Jones, A Brassington; R Cox, J Toogood, M Hutton, J Davis, J Thorpe, D Sutton, B Chambers.

Replacements: K Beasley, Tom Blackburn, Kyle Ashcroft, E Varney, L Warren.

RM Squad: R Cadywould, C Crawley, G David, L Ducker, C Goldsmith, C Greaves, B Harris, H Kunzig, A Lynch, J O'Neil, H Pickett, G Starr, L Townsend, J Tyler, W Walker, M Watkins, F White, K Young, J Copner, L Jackson.