Babcock Inter Services Challenge 2010

Royal Navy 8:4 Royal Air Force

There have been some mighty close encounters over the years between the three Senior teams but the final score in this match proved to be the lowest score in any of the matches played over the past 13 years of the full IS competition. In fairness it was not the best spectacle for the supporters of both sides and the neutrals in the crowd but the match built up to a thrilling and explosive climax.

Barely had London Society referee Tom Mather blew to start the game when he blew up again awarding the first of innumerable penalties throughout the match. This gave the RAF field position to launch their first attack which in fairness was dealt with well by the RN until the 5th tackle when another penalty was given to the flyers who wasted no time in opting for the two pointer which was scored by full Back Si Wray. Finally after five minutes of play the RN got their hands on the ball and although things looked promising with a good break from new boy Darren Bamford the ball was spilled and the attack broke down. Unfortunately this was the pattern throughout the half neither side really taking command of the game and giving up possession far too easily or allowing easy yards through the succession of penalties. One such penalty was awarded to the RN about 20 metres out and wisely skipper Johnson gave the ball to Kev Botwood to go for the equalising points which he did successfully, 15 minutes gone and it was all square a 2:2. As the game moved into the final ten minutes of the first half the RAF were reduced to twelve men when one of their second rowers made a dangerous attempted tackle leaping up into the advancing RN player. Despite the numerical superiority the Brothers could not take advantage and frustratingly the scoreboard remained at 2:2 up to the break.
Play resumed after the break in a similar manner with both teams back to full strength but unable to create the telling move. For the first time in this match the RN went ahead after 50 minutes almost inevitably as a result of a penalty awarded for dissent, Botwood again on target from a good 25 metres out and to the right of the posts. The next incident involving the Ref saw one of the RN subs taking a ten minute break adjudged to have offended at the tackle however the RAF seemed bent on scoring a try so spurning the chance to draw level the pushed for the try, despite being one player down the Brothers continued to defend well and repelled the RAF yet again. The scores were levelled in the dying moments of the game as the tension finally got to the teams and a brawl ensued with the penalty being awarded to the RAF. Perhaps more significantly both teams were reduced to 11 players in effect for the rest of the match with three yellow and one red being shown by Ref Mather after consultation with his touch judges. Again Si Wray was on target so the scores were once again level at 4:4 after over 70 minutes of play. The last five minutes or so were probably the best the RN had enjoyed for some time and their efforts were rewarded when finally a break down the Brothers right saw Wayne John cross out wide for the game breaking try with barely time to take the conversion which was missed so after a long 80 minutes the RN got the win by 8:4. Had the penalty count been lower the RN may have been able to make more of the game however the result will show the RN to have triumphed. Tommy Wilkinson was adjudged to have been man of the match, coming off the bench he put in a top class performance both in attack and defence

RN- Darren Bamford, Mike Haldenby, Jim Barnes, James Wagstaffe, Wilson Tulakepa, Steve Lockton, Kev Botwood, Jamie Goss, Mark Robinson, Richie Metcalfe, Gareth Cadmore, Lewis Taylor , Danny Johnson (C), - Tommy Wilkinson, Richard Sharpe, Johnny Platt, Wayne John

Scorers T: John
G: Botwood (2 Pen)

RAF-Si Wray, Steve Hankinson, Steve Mills, Steve Parker, James Hutchinson, Gareth Evans, Gary Dunn, Gaz Charnock, Steve Cooper, Matt Watkins, Dale Jinks, Chris Gordon, Sion Williams - Lance Tallett, Dave Downs, Simon Lewis
Johnny Ledger

Scorers G: Wray (2 Pen)

Man Of The Match; RN (14) Tommy Wilkinson