Mark Deller sat with his coaches and selected the squad for the second fixture in the Commonwealth Cup against the Royal New Zealand Navy at the top of Table Mountain on a glorious afternoon in the African sunshine. An injury to Hodgy HODGKINSON opened the way for Tom Glover to start with the only other change to the side that took the field against the Royal Australian Navy to be Greg BARDEN on the wing for SA Bee BUINIMASI. The spectacular views didn't provide enough excitement for Marsh Cormac and Hodgy as they took the opportunity to abseil 120 meters down the side of the Mountain. Both returned safely but Dave JONES couldn't look as he really doesn't like heights one bit. In the fin...
A Diary from South Africa The Arrival The RN Rugby team set to compete in the Commonwealth Cup safely arrived in Cape Town on the overnight South African Airways flight from Heathrow on Saturday 30 September 2006. All aspects of the travel went extremely well and the only cause for concern was when the baggage desk at Heathrow informed the TSG that the charge for excess baggage would be £11,000! Fortunately careful negotiation had taken place in advance and the charges were waived. The excess was not because the players had over packed but was all of the kit that was so kindly donated for the 'Kit for Kids' appeal. Donations came into the Armed Forces Careers Offices from all over ...
At the end of a good day on the training ground the RN Squad joined the rest of the teams competing for the Commonwealth Cup in the resplendent gardens of the Flag Officer Fleet at Admiralty House for the opening ceremony and official welcome to South Africa. This was the first time that the teams had come face to face and although the atmosphere was convivial there was a definite undercurrent of each player weighing up their potential adversaries. This was also the first time that the Trophy was on public display as Admiral Bester SAN gave his welcoming speech. The converted shirts specially commissioned by Babcock which would be worn by those players selected to represent the Navy Barb...
