RAF Academy 18 v 22 RN Academy

The match started brightly enough for the RN, good early pressure from the visitors was rewarded with a try for Loose forward Jack Basher returning after injury, the conversion was missed so it was 0:4 after 4 minutes. This bright start for the RN was reversed almost straight from the kick off when the ball was fumbled giving the RAF the advantage. This advantage was rewarded when prop Davies burst through under the posts to make Flintham’s first attempt at goal relatively straight forward 6:4 after 8 minutes. The RN discipline was letting them down as well as trying the patience of Referee Mickey Brighton and on the back of another penalty the RAF got the next score, centre Andrew Hogg going over for the try which was converted by Flintham. The game settled down for the next 15 minutes or so but poor discipline on both sides broke the flow of the game. After a period of sustained pressure the RN closed on the hosts with another try for the pack this time Tom Jones crashed over for a try on his IS debut, Tom Marchant secured the conversion bringing his side within 2 of the RAF. The RAF came back at the RN once again with a superb break out on their left but the RN defence did halt the attack however the referee adjudged the RAF man to have been held down sand Sin binned the RN man for a professional foul. Despite this the RAF could not score from that penalty however almost on half time they were awarded a further penalty in midfield and Flintham stepped up again to convert,. That was the last score of the half so despite possession and territorial advantage the RN found themselves behind on the scoreboard and one man down for the start of the second half.

Despite the numerical disadvantage the RB=N Academy came out all guns blazing for the second half and barely had play settled down when the RN wiped out the half time deficit with try for another IS debutant, RM Jamie Harrison crossing in the first passage of play to put his side on terms with the RAF. This signalled the RN’s best phase of the game as they pressed the RAF scoring a further two trys one each for Shaun Houghton and Tom Marchant out on the right. Despite the conversions being missed the RN should have kicked on from there and secured the game however another sin binning opened the game up again. Taking full advantage of the numerical advantage the RAF pushed hard for the win, prop Dave Davies crossed for try duly converted by Flintham, 20:22 with five to go. Under sustained pressure the RN defence held firm and despite a frantic last five minutes they got the win. Man Of The Match went to RN blind side prop Adam Birkett who had an outstanding game both in attack and defence.

RAF Academy
Mike Robinson, Chris Jones, Andrew Bailey, Andrew Hogg, Kai Stevens, Kieran Walker, Adam Flintham, Robert MacGregor, Andrew Webster, Dave Davies, Joe Grey, Craig Rutter, Johnny Czopycyzc, Dan Hayne, Mark Harper, Tom Moor, Jake Addison
Scorers: T Rutter, Hogg, Davies,
G Flintham (4)

RN Academy
Tom Marchant, Emeri Ratucoko, Ellis Lacey, Glyn Alner, Shaun Houghton, Nick Bell, John Clay, Tom Jones, Todd Crofts (c), Adam Birkett, Lee Gaskell, Josh Tora, Jack Basher, Chris Simmons, Jack Savage, Jamie Harrison, Paul Saberton, 18 Rhys Bingham,
Scorers: T Basher, Jones, Gaskell, Houghton, Marchant
G Marchant