ROYAL MARINE COMMANDOS FIGHT TO THE END AGAINST A ROCHDALE MAYFIELD SELECT

The Rochdale side was made up of players from seven local clubs who gave up their time in mid season to support this fixture. The team was put together by former RNRL Brother Sammy Sampson who besides playing regularly for RNRL spent a lot of his time as an MA attached to various RM Units and represented the ‘Wests’ in the early days of the RNRL ‘State Of Origin’ matches
The Royal Marines had mainly travelled from Devon for this fixture and it took time for them to settle into the game. However, this was not to be the case for the Mayfield Select team as they pressure the Marines from the kick-off. This pressure led to Mayfield’s first converted try 6-0 after 5 mins.
The Royal Marines responded with some punishing runs from Marines Jerome Scherrer and Lee Johnson but the Mayfield defence held firm. The poor weather conditions did not lend themselves to open running rugby. This turned the first half into a war of forward attrition as strong runs where met by even stronger tackles
Mayfield had the better of the first 30 mins by score twice more, but as the half came to an end it was the Marines fitness started to pay a big part in the game which in turn led to there first converted try by Corporal Taff Rossiter, half time score 14 – 6.
The 2nd half started with as had the first with Mayfield putting the Marines under pressure from the kick off this initial pressure lead to the first score of the half 20 - 6. The Marines continued to attack at every opportunity with Marine Pete Greene and returning to the Corps team for the first time this season Royal Marine Captain Jack Duckitt both making some good yardage.
As the weather conditions improved Mayfield started to spread there attack wide. These attacks asked questions of the Marines defence which responded in true Royal Marines style by putting there bodies on the line again and again. However, a Mayfield score was on the cards as a well worked overlap allowed them to making the score 24- 6 after 55 mins. This was followed up by another Mayfield unconverted try to bring the score 28 – 6.
With 10 mins left to play the Marines fitness again started to dominate as the Marines scored 2 converted tries bringing the final score to 28-18. Head Coach Royal Marine Sergeant Richie Guy said of the teams’ performance ‘We concentrated in training on off-loading the ball in the tackle, the lads did everything I asked of them. Richie went on to say ‘The squads match fitness is improving as we finish both halves strongly’
This well publicised game had a special visitor as 86 year old retired Royal Marine Commando Tom Gratton braved the elements to see the Marines play. Tom, who joined the Royal Marines in 1941 and was part of the Allied landings in Sicily, Solerno, D-Day and Walcheren Island. Tom gave a few words on encouragement to the Corps and wished them well in there forthcoming game against the Parachute Regiment in a week’s time.
Rochdale Mayfield provided an excellent venue and hosts for this game and donated the gate fee of £170 to the Royal Marines Benevolent Fund, the cheques was received with thanks by Major Eric Conway Royal Marines.

History of Royal Marines Rugby League

The Royal Marines have been playing Rugby League since the late 90’s. The game was first played in 45 Commando royal Marines who are based in Arbroath, Scotland.

Billy Boston of Wigan Rugby League presented the Royal Marines with the ‘Wigan Bowl’ in 1998 and this trophy is now played for annually between all the Units and establishments within 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines.

The Trafalgar Cup

The Trafalgar Cup was the brain child of Chris Richards (Royal Marine Commandos) and Ryan Swindell (Parachute Regiment) both now on the respective Coaching Staffs. The idea came about when both were playing for the Army and Navy some years ago. The name of the event took itself from the sponsor who donated the trophy; the Trafalgar Public House. Trafalgar is also one of the Royal Navy’s greatest battle honours, The Battle of Trafalgar (21 October 1805) was a sea battle fought between the British Royal Navy and the combined fleets of the French Navy and Spanish Navy.

The first game was played in Aldershot on 5th July 2000; The Royal Marines ran out very comfortable winners 36-0, much to the dismay of the partisan home crowd of The Parachute Regiment.

The fixture was then to be played annually, hosted by each unit but due to operational commitments it was not played in 2002/03 and 2007/08.

The Royal Marines currently lead the fixture 4-1 with 1 draw from last year’s fixture.

For further information contact Major Steve Melbourne Royal Marines Mob: +44 (0) 7776164844 or E-mail: jfhqmedia@googlemail.com