West Country Derby Win For Fleet Air Arm
Inverdale Challenge Round 2
RN West v Fleet Air Arm
Devonport Services RFC was the setting for the Inverdale Challenge battle of the West Country between RN West and the Fleet Air Arm which ended in a large win for Fleet Air Arm.
With RN North unable to field a team the West Country match was the only game happening again in Round 2 and the Fleet Air Arm already with one win under their belt had momentum to build upon.
From the start the WAFU's pack was the point of difference between the two teams, with the sheer bulk and skill of their forwards the Fleet Air Arm were able to provide a platform for their backs to play some flowing rugby. And the Fleet Air Arm were able to capitalise upon their point of difference quickly as ther spun the ball wide for a couple of quick tries to set the tone,but other than that it was a quite a balanced first half.
The RN West were certainly run off their feet and as the second half progressed the FAA started to run up the scoreline, nonetheless RN West were very physically in defence and certainly didn't stop playing unilt the final whistle. Ultimately the Fleet Air were too strong, especially with an experienced bench.
After two rounds the Fleet Air Arm are sitting at the top of the round robin tree with 2 wins, in Round 3 the Royal Marines will make their entrance into the competition with the Fleet Air Arm taking a break. Round 4 will see the FAA v RM clash and both teams should have selection headaches.