Opening the action at RNRL HQ was the Mens Academy match which proved to be a great spectacle full of incident and some great action, the RN taking the game 32:18. Both sides had try’s disallowed for knock-ons in the early exchanges but it was the RN who took the lead with a well worked try for skipper Hutchinson out on the right with an excellent conversion by debutant Adam Watts. The RAF replied shortly after with a converted try of their own to tie things up. With both sides down to 12 the game settled down and it wasn’t until later in the half that the RN took the initiative scoring two tries, one each for Josh Morrison and Roko Kurusasa with Jack Cone slotting over his first conversion of the night to finish the half 14:6 ahead.

Into the 2nd half and it was the RN who took the first score Roko Kurusasa scoring his second out on the right wing backed up by a terrific conversion by Jack Cone, 20:6. Barely 5 minutes later the RN were in again, Harry Vorweg touching down and with another Cone Conversion the RN stretched their lead to 26:6. The RAF replied with two try’s and a conversion of their own, 26:18 and with still a good 15 minutes left was the upset on the cards?. The home side steadied the ship and took control again in the last 10 minutes scoring the best try of the match, a loose ball gathered on the touchline and a brilliant solo effort by Morrison beat the RAF cover and the touchdown under the posts gave Cone another straight forward conversion. That proved to be the final score of the game, RN Academy taking the game 32:16 to retain the Academy Cup
Man Of The Match and on debut RN Full back Adam Watts
Scoring sequence: RN 6:0 RAF, 6:6, 10:6, 14:6, 20:6, 26:6, 26:10, 26:16, 32:16 - HT 14:6 FT 32:16
HT 14:6
FT 32:16

Academy RN: Adam Watts, Harry Vorweg, Tu Roko Kurusasa, Stan Spence, Jerry Fifita, Alfie Mitchell (C), Callum Crozier, Alfie Hutchinson, Regan Hargreaves, Jonny Stoppard, Josh Morrison, Charlie Newcombe, Ollie Bale Subs (all used) Jack Cone, Chris Lloyd, Leo Jackson, Kieran Bauldry, Paul Rich, Jack Copner, Fuata Marcus
Coach Silivenusi Buinimasi
Manager Anthony Underwood

RAF: Ashworth, Chiponde, Fox, Rodden, Slaney, Davis, Owen, Hague, O’Leary, Robbins, Jolley, Wright, Robertson Subs (all used) Davis, Carr, Sinclair, Reffell, Roche, Marsh, Wood