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RNRL v BARLA U-23
Keith Humpleby17 Apr 2012 - 17:17
Saturday 21st April, Kick off 2pm, HMS Temeraire, Burnaby Road, Portsmouth Click Above For Match Preview
The Brothers next fixture sees RNRL take on the British Amateur Rugby League (BARLA) U-23’s in a re run of the first ever RNRL representative match staged back in September 1997. Despite a loss on the day the match sparked so much interest that the future of the Sport in the RN was finally secured. Whilst none of the original team are still playing RNRL Director Of Rugby Wayne Okell played in that momentous fixture.
The two sides met regularly after that first fixture in what was known then as the Courage Cup and although coming close on occasions the experience of the young BARLA sides was always too much for the RN as a single service side. The last match between the two sides was in June 2004 and saw the visitors win convincingly on the same pitch as Saturday’s fixture. As always the BARLA side will feature some of the best youngsters in the Amateur game who perhaps will be looking for a future in the professional game.
Saturday’s game will take place on the pitch at HMS Temeraire which is on the west side of Burnaby Road and not at our normal venue at USSG. The reason for this change of venue is almost certainly unique in today’s sport. Basically the USSG ground changes between Rugby and Cricket dependant on the season. To facilitate the change over two of the floodlight pylons have to be taken down for the summer to allow the cricket pitch outfield to be marked out properly. This outfield as well as needing the removal of the pylons also features a big chunk of the rugby pitch as well hence the move to the other side of the road. Despite the change in venue the No 2 pitch is just as good as USSG’s No 1Pitch and will provide a great surface to play on, the recent rain helping to allow a bit of give in the pitch.
Despite being ‘behind the wire’ the match is open to all spectators’ service or civilian and admission is free. To gain access to the pitch please make your way to the southern end of Burnaby Road to the Main entrance to HMS Temeraire and the Security staff will direct you around to the pitch. The Match kicks off at 2pm with the Sportsman’s Arms Bar being open from midday.
The two sides met regularly after that first fixture in what was known then as the Courage Cup and although coming close on occasions the experience of the young BARLA sides was always too much for the RN as a single service side. The last match between the two sides was in June 2004 and saw the visitors win convincingly on the same pitch as Saturday’s fixture. As always the BARLA side will feature some of the best youngsters in the Amateur game who perhaps will be looking for a future in the professional game.
Saturday’s game will take place on the pitch at HMS Temeraire which is on the west side of Burnaby Road and not at our normal venue at USSG. The reason for this change of venue is almost certainly unique in today’s sport. Basically the USSG ground changes between Rugby and Cricket dependant on the season. To facilitate the change over two of the floodlight pylons have to be taken down for the summer to allow the cricket pitch outfield to be marked out properly. This outfield as well as needing the removal of the pylons also features a big chunk of the rugby pitch as well hence the move to the other side of the road. Despite the change in venue the No 2 pitch is just as good as USSG’s No 1Pitch and will provide a great surface to play on, the recent rain helping to allow a bit of give in the pitch.
Despite being ‘behind the wire’ the match is open to all spectators’ service or civilian and admission is free. To gain access to the pitch please make your way to the southern end of Burnaby Road to the Main entrance to HMS Temeraire and the Security staff will direct you around to the pitch. The Match kicks off at 2pm with the Sportsman’s Arms Bar being open from midday.
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