RN v RAF - 2012 Inter Services 1st Round

RN Academy v RAF Academy
First match of the day was the Academy team’s fixture, despite never having been beaten by their RAF counterparts the RN Academy found the first quarter hard going against a strong mobile RAF unit who showed a lot of skill and determination. Despite the threat the well drilled RN dealt well with any threats posed by the RAF. The first of the Navy’s four tries came after 23 minutes, the RAFF were awarded a penalty but failed to find touch giving the RN a great platform. The backs took the ball deep into the RAF half before it was passed to Matt Corrigan who took on the defence himself from 25 metres out, the big No 10 on his return from injury was not going to be stooped touching down to put the first points on the bard for the RN. Johnny Platt put over a great conversion to give the RN a 6:0 lead. Both sides had tries disallowed before the break so it remained 6:0 at halftime. An entertaining 40 minutes for the spectators with the RN finding the going a lot tougher than the corresponding fixture last year. The RN came out all guns blazing for the second half and this positive approach was rewarded early on with a well executed try scored by Semi Ramakita on the RN left, Johnny Platt was again on target with the conversion so the RN had doubled their lead within the first five minutes of the half.
The next passage of play proved very telling, from the kick off the ball was fumbled by the RN five metres out giving the RAF a rare opportunity to get points on the board however the RN proved an impenetrable wall of defenders, the RAF did get a repeat set but lost the ball on the tenth tackle giving the ball back to the RN without getting points on the board. The RN now began to exert some control of the game and ten minutes later again out on the left wing Manoa Satala fielded a cross field kick to touch down with Platt again on target to stretch the RN lead out to 18-0. The final score of the match was Satola’s second try of the game, more good work out on the left stretched the RAF defence and a well timed pass from Ben Cartwright found the Fijian who hit the defence at pace to cross for his second of the day. Platt was just wide with his conversion attempt so it was 22:0 and that is how it stayed to the final whistle. A great start for the new coaching team of Jim Barnes and Dane Smallbone who have put together a good mixture of experienced and new players to challenge the Army at Aldershot in an attempt to retain the Inter Services Trophy won last year. Man of The match went to Manoa Satala for his work throughout the match and his two tries.

RN Academy Richard Binns, Manoa Satala, Seti Ramakita, Jack Savage, Simon Tulakepa, Bobby Conroy-Smith, Steve Riley, Chris Thompson, Johnny Platt, Matt Corrigan, Dave Gee, Colin Chapman, Ben Madigan, Ben Cartwright, Lee Gaskell, Mike Tulakepa, Rob MacIntyre
Scorers: (T) Satala (2), Corrigan, Ramakita (G) Platt 3 Conv
RAF Academy John A Turner, Simon Marshall, Jonny Statham, Dave Fenney, James Hodgson, Tom White, Tom Moore, Colin Whitham, Andy Holland, Glen Allison, Wayne Crawford, Jason Battle, Mike Knock, Lee Davies, , Daniel Atherton, Ian Cairns Rhys Andrews