RNRU Royal Navy Rugby Union

Two tries in the final game of the U23XV season, from openside Jack Basher, were enough to confirm him as the ninth recipient of the Brian Weeks Trophy.  The trophy, in memory of former Royal Navy Rugby Union Life Member and RNRU Colts Chairman, Cdr Brian Weeks, is traditionally presented to the U23XV Player of the Year after the final match of the U23 season.

For Jack, 2014 will certainly be a year to remember.  In August he won his first International Cap, for Malta, having earlier in the year debuted for the Senior XV.  In September he travelled to New Zealand as part of the Commonwealth Cup squad before joining up with the U23s on his return and finishing the year with a number of typical all-action displays for the them, culminating in the game against the Army.  His next goal must be to emulate four of the previous Brian Weeks Award winners and win his Senior cap.  However he is all too aware that competition in the Navy backrow is as competitive as ever.

Jack received the trophy from RNRU President, Vice Admiral Sir Philip Jones in the changing room after the game.  Beforehand the President had presented Royal Navy U23XV colours to Lewis Cooper who became the tenth Navy player to win his colours during the 2014 Inter Services.

2014 Brian Weeks Trophy winner – ETME Basher

Colours were awarded to: ETME A Birkett, Mid J Burton, AET S Carter, Mne D Coleman, AET Luke Cooper, Mne Lewis Cooper, Musn H Marsh, AB B Roberts, AET J Reynolds, ETWE J Shaw

Article by Geraint Ashton Jones
Images by Alligin Photography / © Geraint Ashton Jones