Exeter Chiefs Put Resilient Navy Rugby to the Sword

The RN Men’s Senior XV put on a resilient display against a powerful and experienced Exeter Chiefs team, in front of nearly 3500 spectators on a perfect night for running rugby. After a blistering start the Chiefs were immediately on the attack, creating quick ruck ball and putting pressure on the Navy defence which initially held firm. With a powerful Chiefs pack featuring several International and Premiership players, and a young backline keen to move the ball, the Navy defence was finally breached seeing hooker Dan Frost pick a line and scoring under the posts.

From the restart the Chiefs were on the attack again, going through the phases and working themselves into the opposition 22, some great work at the breakdown saw the ball turned over and it was quickly moved to Navy fly half Jordon Gott who saw an opportunity to get the ball wide to wing Kane Teear-Bourge, once in his hands and working in little space T-B hit the gas and rounded his man before flying down the touchline, as the cover defence came across, he found the perfect inside pass to supporting full back Craig Duncan who ran in to touchdown near the posts, finishing off a great counterattack and bringing the cheering supporters to their feet.

The rest of the half was played at breakneck speed with both teams creating opportunities; however the Chiefs were more ruthless and finished well, seeing the score moving on to 35 - 7 to Chiefs at half time.

The second half was like the first and played at high pace. The Chiefs rang the changes and kept the pressure on the began to make headway resulting in a few further scores. The Navy created some great opportunities and produced some flowing rugby with Riglesford and later Toogood creating the impetus. The Navy crossed the whitewash, but it disallowed by the referee; this was as close as they came to scoring in the second period, the final score, 63 - 7. Notable mentions must go to Navy No.8 Chris Mills who’s work rate in both attack and defence was exceptional and tight head prop Dom Cleverley who scrummaged well and carried hard.

This was a solid performance by the Navy and great preparation before they depart with the Senior Women for France to play the first capped game of the season against Rugby Clube de Marine Nationale on Sat 16 March in Vannes.

Senior Men: Kye Beasley (C), Jack Wright, Dom Cleverley; Dan Mccadams, Will Scott, AJ Hussell, Ben Mallet, Chris Mills; Will Rigelsford, Jordan Gott, Kane Teear-Bourge, Jesse Lowe, Setareki Raumakita, Ben Chambers (VC), Craig Duncan.

Replacements: Gaz Evans, Tam Lindsay, Harry Wright, Matt Scott, Lewis Roxby, Jay Toogood, Dan Rutter, Adam King, Jack Ryder, Matt Hall.

Words by Owen Salmon

Images by Jarrad Hulm