Rugby Union

Navy academy beat RAF Hawks as players seek potential Inter Services call-ups

Watch: The Royal Navy academy clashes with the RAF Hawks in Aylesbury

The Royal Navy men’s academy team have beaten the RAF Hawks by 38-22 in an entertaining match in Aylesbury.

It was a game where much was at stake for players on both sides, as a good performance could result in promotions to either their under-23 squads or their senior representative teams.

The Navy struck first with Harry Wright catching an offload from Dan Gallon to score a converted try under the posts.

The RAF soon responded with Josh Peacock, but a failed conversion left them trailing behind the Navy.

The first half saw the game go back and forth, but the Navy did just enough to remain ahead by two points at half-time.

After the break, the action didn't let up as more tries for the Navy by Tui Vadra and Gerry Fifita kept the dark blues in the driving seat.

Just when it looked like curtains for the RAF, they soon responded with a try of their own with Martin darting over to score 29-22.

But the Navy had the final say as Seb Broadman scored their sixth try and converted for a final score of 38-22.

With the Navy taking the win, their head coach Lieutenant Dec Johnson hopes the academy can continue to serve as a "stepping stone" between the U23s and the senior team.

He said: "I think we have some really strong young lads coming to the Navy and playing a good standard of rugby.

"It's great to see them using the academy now as a stepping stone between the under-23s and potentially seniors rugby in the future and, so actually, having a more rounded both community and representative rugby in the Navy, I think, is definitely helping the sport."

RAF Hawks head coach Flight Lieutenant James Henriet added: "I think it's given us a chance to look at how we are playing our structure and how we can do well out of our structure, and that was on show today.

"We needed to look at our defence and how we can manipulate ourselves to defend a little bit better in our next fixture."

For several players, their performance could see them get the call-up to their service's under-23 teams ahead of the upcoming Inter Services championships which run throughout November.