Royal Navy Wins Championship Thriller

Player-of-the-Match Sam Matavesi hailed his Royal Navy side’s ‘incredible’ 37 - 33 victory after they beat British Army at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, to secure the Inter Service Championship 2025 title.

The Army made a dream start and hit the front in the sixth minute as the ball came loose on their opponents’ 22 with Senitiki Nayalo hoovering up to dot down under the posts before Jack Johnson added the extras.

The Navy replied at the back end of the first quarter however, replacement flanker Ben Mallett – on for hooker Rhys Williams – finding space to dart over from close range.

Soon after Nayalo was causing trouble again as he doubled his tally after a searing 30-metre break from back row colleague Matt Dawson.

Johnson slotted for 14 - 5, but the ebb-and-flow nature of the contest continued as Jamin Hoffman cut a glorious diagonal line to dive over, Hanley’s kick making it a two-point game just before the half-hour mark.

There were no more scores before the break, but the Navy grabbed the lead seven minutes into the second period, a powerful rolling maul setting the platform for Ratu Vakalutukali to power over following a series of sumptuous phases.

Hanley made no mistake, yet the Red Shirts went back in front shortly after, Solodrau Radianirova scooping up a Frank Kelly off-load before showing some mesmerising footwork to dance his way across the whitewash.

Johnson’s conversion made it 21 - 19 midway through the third quarter, Hanley’s 40-metre penalty attempt from the restart falling short bounced off the post protector.

The fly-half made amends soon after, however with the Navy’ powerful  pack earning him another shot from just inside the 22.

The Blues pulled further clear on 62 minutes as the outstanding Matavesi was illegally stopped at the back of another maul, a penalty try awarded as replacement Army prop Gareth Smith was sent to the sin-bin.

Matavesi produced a brilliant interception to sprint over in the left-hand corner from 30 metres out for a deserved score, Hanley’s attempt drifting left to leave his side 34 - 21 to the good.

And yet the Red Shirts refused to yield and gave themselves hope with an immediate reply, Nathaniel Titchard-Jones blasting over for a converted score.

Another scrum penalty for Navy was landed by Hanley, setting up a thrill-a-minute denouement which saw Cameron McDonald collect Johnson’s cross-kick to pull his side within four heading into the final play.

But they were unable to repeat last year’s incredible comeback as a breakdown penalty sealed the deal for Navy, with Matavesi commenting: “It feels incredible. It was hard in the heat, and we said at the start it was going to take all 23 players to get it done because we were against quality opposition.

“It’s massive to win, and as I get older, to play at places like this is brilliant – the atmosphere is insane.

“There were nerves at the end because of what happened last year and knowing how dangerous the Army is – we kicked long but knew they can still score from anywhere. The game was up-and down, but we grafted, stayed at it and I’m so happy.”

He added: “It’s three months’ effort from the squad; the hard work of 45 to 50 players and the coaches, lots of games, lots of travel, and it means so much because I think our head coach Dave Pascoe has only won it five times in 26 years as a player and coach – it shows how hard it is.”

Meanwhile, Hanley – whose boot also proved pivotal in the Round One victory against Royal Air Force, said: “I’m relieved! I missed a couple of kicks but got the pressure ones – it was a good game of rugby and I’m proud of the boys. We managed the game well at the end and to come through with the win is brilliant, because they don’t come easy.”

Reflecting on how pleased he was for lightning not to strike twice at the death, he said: “We’ve got some experienced guys with 25 to 30 caps, guys playing at a high level, and we got in the right areas.”

Navy Rugby Senior Men are the 2025 Interservice Champions!!!

Senior Men: T Lindsay, R Williams, B Watson; E Pascoe, J Williams; R Vakalutukali, S Matavesi, J Hayler (C); D Rutter, J Hanley, B Chambers (VC), J Gott, J Hoffman, H Gliddon, C Duncan.

Replacements: K Beasley, D Cleverley, D Johnson, C Mills, B Mallett, R Mitchell, W Rigelsford, G Edson.

Words by C Wearmouth

Images by Cinnabar Studio