Royal Navy and RAF draw in nail-biting opening clash of the Inter Services U23s
A nail-biting finish to the opening Inter Services under-23 rugby championships saw the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force draw level, leaving the championship wide open.
The RAF played well in the first half where their first try came from Corporal Baish, who collected the offload from skipper Air Specialist 1 Quainton to score between the sticks.
Air Specialist 1 Jenkins executed a successful conversion, and the RAF had a 7-0 lead.
Hampered by a yellow card shown to Marine Neagle, the Navy found themselves out of step and after a second RAF try, they found themselves 0-12 down.
But when a penalty was kicked to the corner, the forwards executed their lineout well and Air Engineering Technician Wright got the job done to score the Navy's first try of the game, with Able Rate Edson adding the extras.
The RAF lead 7-12 over the hosts at half time.
In the second half, the Navy brought the momentum of their first-half try straight back into the game with Marine Hancock tying things up at 12-12.
The Navy had their defence in order too, driving the RAF back to the home 22 when it seemed another RAF try was a sure thing.
The light blues maintained possession however, and after a couple of passes, scrum-half Air Specialist 1 Symons darted over in the corner to give the RAF back the lead.
A frustrated Navy team drove back once again, however, and tied things up for the second time with AET Wright scoring a brace.
The home team felt like they had the momentum again, and Mne Neagle redeemed himself following his first-half yellow card to give the Navy the lead for the first time in the game.
AB Edson added the extras to bump their lead up to 24-17.
But a crucial moment came when the RAF undid the Navy's efforts, a small kick to the corner was retrieved by Air Specialist 1 Prescott and quickly dotted down for a try.
AS1 Jenkins converted successfully to draw the game level for the third time.
The final whistle sounded and visible frustration for players on both sides, as they drew level at 24-24 for the first game of the under-23s Inter Services.
The result leaves the championship wide open as the two sides now turn their attention to what their teams can do against the reigning champions the British Army, who won last year's Inter Services on a points difference.
The RAF will play the Army on 20 November and the Navy the week after on 27 November.
Both games will be streamed live on the BFBS Forces News YouTube channel.
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