The Academy fixture opened the day’s proceedings and to be fair RNRL looked in control throughout the game. Coach Adam Birkett’s Academy Brothers backed up a superb performance against the Army with another dominant display against the RAF to win 30-10. The first quarter of the match set the standard for the rest of the game, penning the RAF in their own half RNRL opened the scoring after 12 minutes, Charlie Morton-Morgan finishing off the move touching down behind the posts making Eli Steinberg’s conversion pretty much routine 0:6. Despite giving up possession on a couple of occasions the RN defence were up to the task keeping their opponents out. Another good attack brought RNRL in range, Ben Conner on the burst to td with two RAF defenders trying to stop him, Steinberg’s second conv of the day stretched the lead to 0:12. The Academy Brothers did not have it all their own way giving up possession and allowing the RAF a way back, from the scrum Cam Tindle scored his sides first try but the score was not converted 4:12. The final score of the half went to the Brothers, great work in centre field saw the ball moved out to the right and Roko Kurusasa finishing in some style out wide, no conversion this time but the Brothers were looking comfortable at 4:16 and that was how the half ended.

RAFRL had the best of the opening exchanges of the second half, assisted by a couple of RN unforced errors, they pulled back some of the deficit with a try under the posts and an easy conversion 10:16. Any thoughts of an RAF comeback were quashed barely 10 minutes later, after defending RAF pressure RNRL took possession deep inside their own half and a piece of magic from Sub Kane Teer-Burge saw him go almost the length of the field for a fantastic score, no conversion this time but a good lead restored 10:20. The pressure put on the RAF defence continued, more good hands across midfield got the ball out to the right where Joe Potifa took the pass finishing well for his side, again no conversion but the lead was now 14 points at 10:24. RNRL kept the RAF at bay for the rest of the game not allowing them any chance to build pressure and closed out the game with 10 minutes to go when another sub Luke Cador went over under the posts, Eli Steinberg converted and that was it, 10:30 and consecutive IS wins for the Academy Brothers!

An emotional Adam Birkett and Luke Warrington were obviously delighted with the result not least as this was their last game as Coach and Captain respectively, but what a way to finish, thanks for all your work guys! Prop Jonny Stoppard collected the man of the match award but whilst delighted to get the award he saw it as a whole team performance.

One more time then RNRL Academy IS champions for the second consecutive year and a fifth title in total since the competition began in 2003

Luke Warrington (C), Cam Benson, Kieron Hart, Tu Roko Kurusasa, Joe Potifa, Ed Holland, Joe O’Hanlon Ben Conner, Eli Steinberg, Jonny Stoppard, Charlie Morton-Morgan, Louis Byrand, Elliot Richardson, Kane Teer-Bourge, Jake Young, Lewis Roxby, Luke Cador, Ben Pogson
Scorers T: Morton-Morgan, Conner, Kurusasa, Teer-Burge, Potifa, Cador
G: Steinberg 3 (Con)

If you are wondering who will be Academy Coach next season there are clues amongst the images in the match album!