ROYAL NAVY RUGBY CUP FINAL - 7 DECEMBER 2005

HMS Collingwood aim to secure their fifth win in Navy Cup Finals at Burnaby Rd on a wet and windy December evening, with 42 Cdo RM standing in their way who themselves last won the trophy in 1987. Both teams had impressive records coming into the final: COLLINGWOOD 42 CDO 1ST RND Bye Beat HMS DRAKE 33-14 2nd RND Beat HMS LANCASTER 71-7 Bye HMS CORNWALL (forfeited) ¼ Finals Beat HMS NELSON 19-7 Beat HMS HERON 32-27 ½ Finals Beat HMS GLOUCESTER 33-7 Beat CTCRM 26-0 On an atrocious night of horizontal rain intermixed with swirling wind both sets of forwards set about their task with vigour, with in the opening clenches Collingwood taking the upper hand. Both teams are to be complimented on the manner at which they attempted to run the ball and open up defences. The half time score of 12:0 to Collingwood was a fair reflection of play; however after the interval 42 Cdo turned up the pressure in the second half and closed the gap within 10 minutes. The game was nip and tuck until the last quarter when 42 Cdo used the high ball kick and chase to score 1 try and a well worked move straight of the training paddock to register another try with the final score 23 :15 in their favour. This was the culmination of an outstanding season for 42 Cdo placing them well and truly in the history books as Commando Unit to achieve the double of winning the Argyll Bowl and Navy Cup in the same season.