Inverdale Cup Round 4 - RM v FAA preview

The Royal Marines travel to RNAS Yeovilton to face the Fleet Air Arm today in a repeat of the 2020 Inverdale Challenge Trophy final and it will be the first time the two dominant forces of Royal Navy Command Rugby have had a chance to square off against each other in nearly two years.

Despite Storm Barra causing the RN East versus RN West match to be postponed the ‘Bootnecks’ and ‘WAFUs’ will still face off with both sides looking to take a psychological advantage over their rival before a likely final between the two sides in January.

The Royal Marines coach, Major Oli Mason, will be looking to extend his 2 year unbeaten streak with his side already having clocked up victories against RN East, Gibraltar and Peninsula Medics in the build up to this fixture. His counterpart LPT Ben Priddey will be hoping the form shown by the Fleet Air Arm sides in the Navy Cup will continue into today’s match, either way it promises to be a great match despite the inclement weather.

Oli said, “Today’s side has some real talent in it with Marines right across the backline having pulled on a Royal Navy shirt in a capped match, I expect the side to keep it’s 100% record this decade.”

With the Fleet Air Arm and Royal Marines providing many of the Royal Navy Senior squad the match should be full of class. As former team mates Oli and Ben will be fully aware of what each other can bring to a match like this.


Pictures are from the 2019/20 Inverdale Challenge Trophy Final
Rory Bonnick scored the Royal Marines second try.
Hayden Wilkinson takes contact.
Ratu (Toots) Vakalutukali eyes up the defence.
Nathan Huntley supported by Ratu (Toots) Vakalutukali.
Nick Burgess finds touch.
Sam Carter gets the ball away.
Kyp Bridgen receives the trophy from John Inverdale.
Winners are grinners.