Royal Navy suffer first-round Challenge Cup defeat to Hammersmith Hills Hoists

The Royal Navy have been resoundingly beaten in the first round of the 2026 Challenge Cup after suffering a 4-18 defeat to Hammersmith Hills Hoists in Portsmouth. 

The Senior Service got their quest to reach the second round off to a good start, with Josh Korobiau scoring an early try. 

But Hammersmith Hills Hoists, consisting mostly of Australian players, stepped up their game and never looked back.

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Tries from Josh Fisher and Kane Strachen pushed the visitors to a 4-8 lead at half time - a disappointing first half for the Senior Service. 

When the players returned, the Navy put up a strong fight and pushed the visitors into their 20 - but Hammersmith's defence were well drilled and the Navy's efforts never materialised. 

The Senior Service were not able to wrestle back the momentum - and the visitors scored twice in the second half thanks to brilliant runs from Conor McDonald and Jordan Best. 

At full-time, the Hammersmith Hills Hoists emerged victorious with a 4-18 victory over the Royal Navy. 

They will progress to round 2 where they will face Salford. 

As for the Royal Navy, their Challenge Cup run ends in the first round and they will not progress further. 

Royal Navy Head Coach, Chief Petty Officer Darren Bamford, said: "yeah, disappointed. You don't win a game of rugby without the ball.

"But we just played straight into their hands today but I can't fault the boy's effort as around the middles today was a tough slog and we just let ourselves down with out completion rate today."

Elsewhere, the British Army are also out of the Challenge Cup after a 12-24 defeat to Wests Warriors and the RAF's game against Heworth was postponed due to a frozen pitch.