Ellie Brightwell pushing through rain and tackles for Navy women rugby Credit Windandsurf Images.jpg — New Navy women's captain Ellie Brightwell tries to push through the tackles and the heavy rain at Burnaby Road (Picture: Windandsurf Images)

Rugby Union

Royal Navy men win in Devon as women's winning score washed out in Portsmouth

The Royal Navy men's and women's teams were in winning mood despite the heavy rain in Devon and Portsmouth.

The men's team picked up their first win under head coach Charlotte Fredrikson in a 19-12 mudbath against Devon at Brickfields.

Helped by the return of leadership duo Ben Chambers and Ben Mallett, the Navy bounced back from a loss to Plymouth Albion two weeks ago with Matt Scott and George Edson amongst the scorers.

The women's team have made a similar start to the season under their new head coach Jez Parsons.

A loss to the British Fire Service earlier this month wasn't the opening the new coaching team were looking for, but they regathered momentum on a raining night at Burnaby Road.

With Ellie Brightwell inserted as new captain and a strong line-up including Rose Dixon, Josie Parnaby and Moira Douglass, they were dominant against the University of Portsmouth in the first half.

Unfortunately, as they cruised to a comfortable 24-7 score, the conditions became too much and the match was abandoned.