Babcock Inter Services Challenge 2010

RN Academy 16:12 RAF Academy

Another tight and evenly matched fixture the Academy match remained scoreless for the first 30 minutes or so although the RAF did cross the line but were adjudged to have been offside so the score was cancelled. Both sides were guilty of too many offside’s which the Ref penalised frequently but fairly so it was down to the players to sort out. Arguably the best move of the match so far saw the RN break from deep in their own half allowing Guy Glastonbury to cross the halfway line in a mazy run towards the opposition try line, however the RAF cover go back in time to snuff pout the chance ten metres short. Despite the stiff breeze both sides were prepared to give the ball some air and the RAF claimed a 40-20 on the 30 minute mark as a result of one such kick. From the ensuing scrum the RAF shipped the ball out to the right and sub Richie Gunning crossed close enough to the posts to allow Scott Cash a reasonably easy conversion, 0:6 to the RAF. This score seemed to unsettle the RN side and they went further behind as a result of a penalty, Cash being on target again. The RN effort was further hampered by being reduced to 12 men for ten minutes just ahead of the halftime break.

The opening minutes of the second half proved similar to the first half, little to choose between the two sides although the RN now back to 13 players and with a freshening breeze at their backs looked slightly the better. The scores remained as they were at halftime until the hour mark when finally the RN put points on the board with a Rob Sanderson try converted by Ash Hedges. AS the game moved towards the latter stages the RN did begin to dominate, some excellent kicking from Scrumhalf John Clay kept the RAF turning allowing the RN to pressure the defence. It was with barely ten minutes left the RN went ahead for the first time, Ben Cartwright forcing his way over to the left of the posts but unfortunately the conversion was just wide. The final RN score of the game completed the comeback, Mikey Graham at centre crossing to put the RN further ahead and with a great conversion from Alex Scruton the scores were now 16:8. The game had one last twist with the RN again being reduced to 12 men, the RAF conjured up their only score of the second half to bring them within four points of the RN, the conversion was missed and stern defence from the RN kept the flyers at bay until the final whistle, 16:12 to the RN. A first win for new Academy Coach Tom McKenna and another Man of the match award for giant prop Ben Cartwright brought to an end a good afternoons work for the Academy.

RN Academy - Guy Glastonbury, Martyn Tomkinson, Rob Sanderson, Mikey Graham, Lloyd Banks, Alex Scruton, John Clay, Ben Madigan, Chris Reeves, Ben Cartwright, Stan Mortensen, Ash Hedges (C), Steve Riley - Jon Adams, Josh Tora, Steve Hillman, Jason Gemmill

Scorers T: Sanderson, Cartwright, Graham
G: Hedges (1 Conv) Scruton (1 Conv)

RAF Academy - Tom Moor, John Turner, John Campbell, Andrew Hogg, Dan Beswick, Scott Cash, Dave Musgrave, Bob McGregor, Nathan Parkin, Matt Snape, Jon Colley, Rhys Andrews, Jens Harris - Richie Gunning, Joe Lyon, Chris Davis, Chris Kellock

Scorers T: Gunning
G: Cash (1 Conv 1 Pen)

Man Of The Match: RN (10) Ben Cartwright