British Army Blades kick off 2025 Inter Services with win over Royal Navy Destroyers

The British Army Blades have made a strong start to their 2025 Inter Services title challenge with a thumping 7-3 win over the Royal Navy Destroyers.

Six different scorers, including two for Scott Boyle, showed the Army's attacking ability with the Navy becoming undone in a costly second period.

The Army now move into Thursday's final against the RAF Aces while the Navy will look to bounce back with a better performance against the Air Force in match two.

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The first period was a good contest with the Army taking the lead after five minutes through Mark Morrison following a smart set-up by Michael Hutchings 

The Navy came close to an equaliser twice, but then conceded a second as Andrew McMillan got the final touch to make it 2-0 to the Blades. 

The Destroyers continued to work away at their own game though and a beautifully worked goal from one of their stand-out players on the night, assistant captain Martin Gray, reduced the defecit.

The Army's relentness nature continued as Ian Spridgeon added a third, but the Navy hit back again though James Diamond.

Period 2 saw the Blades took control as a slick break from Jack Farquharson led to Boyle making it 4-2 before Sam Robinson’s night was ended early. He was illegally clattered by Lee Duance which resulted in a five-minute sin bin for the Navy man.  

The 2023 champions took advantage by adding a fifth goal in the powerplay through Harry McBride despite some fine goalkeeping from Destroyers keeper Martin Edwards.

The Army onslaught continued before the end of period 2 as Ross Walker blasted in a sixth goal leaving the Navy with lots of work to do.

The third period was much closer but it was the Blades who struck again as Boyle grabbed his second goal before the Navy got a another consolation as Joe Radford forced it over the line for a 7-3 final score.