Seahawk Secure 7s Silverware

The Rectory in Plymouth roared to life as seven teams from across the South-West clashed in the Western Region 7’s Competition. With fresh faces, fierce rivalries, bragging rights and silverware on the line, the stage was set for a day of community rugby. In the end, HMS SEAHAWK soared to victory, outlasting a valiant HMS PORTLAND in a gripping final, while standout performances caught the eye of RN Stingrays selectors, unearthing the stars of tomorrow.

On Wednesday 4^th June, the teams descended on the home of Devonport Services for the Western Region 7’s Competition.  This event marked the first run out for several teams this season, with HMS RALEIGH, HMS IRON DUKE and SW Submariners making their 2025 RNRU event debut.  BRNC, buoyed by their victory against École Navale and a successful tour to Japan in the Spring were keen to take home some silverware however HMS SEAHAWK, HMS SOMERSET and HMS PORTLAND also had their eyes on prize. 

Split into 2 leagues, SW Submariners endured a tough start, going down 7 - 50 against a rampant HMS SEAHAWK team who had prepared well for this event, meanwhile RALEIGH, who had made the final for the last 2 years fell to PORTLAND in the opposite group.  BRNC opened their account with a dominant 36 - 0 victory against IRON DUKE and SOMERSET added to the Submariners misery with a convincing 24 - 7 win.

With the pool winners progressing directly to the semi-finals, the quarters saw SOMERSET victorious against a youthful RALEIGH team and BRNC take the win against SW Submariners.  The teams were primed for the semi-finals– a battle of the T23’s in one semi and SEAHAWK and BRNC in the other.  PORTLAND v SOMERSET was a back-and-forth affair with both teams digging deep to breach the opposition defences, however it was PORTLAND who got their noses in front and held on for the win.  SEAHAWK and BRNC both raced out of the blocks and played some nice rugby. SEAHAWK with a raft of familiar faces and some Academy talent on display managed to create some distance between the teams and progressed to the Final.

It was BRNC’s Officers Under Training who prevailed in the 3^rd Place Play-Off, despite the best efforts of a hard tackling and indefatigable SOMERSET team.

PORTLAND v SEAHAWK was a thrilling contest and both teams were worthy of their places in the final, but it proved to be a game too far for the frigate with SEAHAWK clinching the victory to be crowned Western Region 7’s Champions 2025.

The competition was watched by the Stingrays (RNRU Community Development 7’s) Assistant Coach and Team Manager who both commented on the quality of the rugby on display and identified 7 new players to invite into the Stingrays set up, demonstrating the value of Inter-Unit sport in growing the next crop of representative players.