RAF women kick off Inter Service campaign with storming win over Royal Navy in Northampton

The Royal Air Force women have won the opening game of the Inter Service Championships with a 36-10 victory over the Royal Navy.

Their win puts the RAF in a strong position to face the reigning champions the British Army in Gloucester.

It was the first time the RAF and the Navy faced each other at the Cinch Stadium in Franklins Gardens, the home of Premiership champions Northampton Saints.

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The Royal Navy began with a strong defensive session and grew in confidence in the game’s opening minutes after holding off strong RAF attacks to win several penalties.

The RAF however remained resolute in their quest to break through the Navy’s defence, and that break through came from the RAF number 8 Flying Officer Ella Johnson to dot down the Air Force’s first try of the game.

AS1 Daisy Fahey added the extras with a successful conversion to boost their lead to 7-0.

A second strong Air Force charge to the tryline ended with AS1 Technician Evie Longworth diving over the line for a second try for the RAF, but this time with an unsuccessful conversion from AS1 Fahey.

The Air Force returned in the second half firing on all cylinders with Squadron Leader Elise Fletcher muscling her way through the Navy defence to dot over the line, with AS1 Fahey once again adding the extras.

Minutes later the RAF came back again, this time with AS1 Kim Grundy breaking through to print to the tryline for the RAF’s fourth try.

AS1 Fahey once again converted successfully as the RAF began to spread their wings with a 26-0 lead as the Navy continued to look for a breakthrough.

The Navy began to make more ground whilst in possession to put the RAF under pressure, but as soon as the RAF regained possession, full-back AS1 Fahey powered through the Navy defence to score her first try of the match.

But soon after a storming first try AS1 Fahey was on the charge once again and broke past the Navy to dive over the line for a second try.

The Royal Navy were awarded a penalty in the final quarter and Naval Airman (Aircraft Handler) Jess Bryan opted to take a penalty kick.

Bryan successfully kicked between the posts to get the Navy three points on the board.

The Navy began to regain their rhythm in the dying minutes of the game, and they finally found their breakthrough with Able Rate Moira Douglass getting over the tryline to get the Navy’s first try of the game.

But it would be too late for the Navy to stage a comeback as at the final whistle, the RAF emerged victorious with a commanding 36-10 victory over the Navy.

The Navy now head to Allianz Stadium, Twickenham to face the Army on 3 May.

Cover image: Steve Flynn/PPAUK