Royal Marines Repeat Winners of Inverdale Cup

The Inverdale Final took place at the historic Rectory, home to Devonport Services RFC, where a thrilling rugby clash unfolded between the Royal Marines and the Fleet Air Arm. In a repeat of last year's fixture, the Royal Marines emerged victorious with a convincing 44 - 19 win over the Fleet Air Arm in a display of near perfect dominance.

The Royal Marines took control early in the game and led at halftime with a score of 17 - 7. Dingemans, Negal, and Elliott were the standout scorers for the Marines, with Brink converting one score. The Fleet Air Arm managed to stay in touch with a try from their vice-captain, Ash Wakefield, keeping the game competitive.

As the second half kicked off, inside centre Mne Collins showed his potential by bagging a brace of tries, further extending their lead. The scoreboard struggled to keep up (it broke!) with the relentless scoring from the Marines, as they continued to dominate the game.

The Fleet Air Arm fought back valiantly, with their hooker, Ben Smith, pulling one back with a try from a driving maul, which was expertly converted by their captain, Harry Mayes. However, the Royal Marines remained relentless in their attack, with Negal scoring again adding to Jack Ryder's earlier score, further solidifying their lead.

In a moment of celebration and tradition, Jendy Weeks, the daughter of Surgeon Captain (D) John Inverdale RN, attended the match. She was escorted by Lt Cdr Jane West and had the privilege of presenting the trophy to the winning captain, Mne Rickus Brink, in a fitting end to a spectacular final.

The Inverdale Final at the Rectory will be remembered as an example of top-tier community rugby talent, with the Royal Marines emerging as deserving champions in a thrilling encounter against the Fleet Air Arm.

Royal Marines: Mne Horack, Mne O'Brien (VC), Mne Phipps; Mne Starr, Mne Young; Mne Neagle, Capt Snowball RM, LCpl Wagstaff; Mne Dingemans, Mne Brink (C), Mne Holt, Mne Collins, Mne Ryder, Capt O'Brien, Mne Elliott.

Replacements: Cpl Scopes, LCpl Townsend, Mne Nel, Mne Firth, LCpl Bloomfield, Mne Marks, Cpl Greaves, Mne Day.

FAA: K Ashcroft, B Smith, T Blackburn; C Dalkins, C Jones; A Greenland, J Wand, A Wakefield (VC); R Cox (VC), H Mayes (C), J Davis, G Edson, AJ King, J Brown, M Horton. 

Replacements: K Beasley, D Rogerson, J Thorpe, J Perry, H Woodcock, D Waryck, C Black, K Barclay.

Words by J Campbell-Baldwin

Images by Joe Burt