Rugby Union

Royal Navy Senior men beat Cambridge University in thrilling friendly match

NAME Navy v Cambridge tackle CREDIT Alligin Photography DATE 15022023.jpg — The Royal Navy Rugby Seniors play against Cambridge University RFC (Credit: Alligin Photography).

NAME Royal Navy Seniors scrum CREDIT Alligin Photography DATE 15022023.jpg — The match took place in Grange Road at the University of Cambridge's football grounds (Credit: Alligin Photography).

NAME Royal Navy Rugby Union CREDIT Alligin Photography DATE 15022023.jpg — The Royal Navy Seniors were drawn 7-7 against Cambridge University at half-time (Credit: Alligin Photography).

NAME Navy Rugby Union v Cambridge CREDIT Alligin Photography DATE 15022023.jpg — The Royal Navy came back strong in the second half against tough Cambridge opposition (Credit: Alligin Photography).

NAME Royal Navy Seniors v Cambridge CREDIT Alligin Photography DATE 15022023.jpg — The Navy Seniors gained a three-point lead over Cambridge after a converted penalty (Credit: Alligin Photography).

NAME Royal Navy Rugby Seniors v Cambridge University CREDIT Alligin Photography DATE 15022023.jpg — The Royal Navy Seniors win 21-24 against Cambridge University RFC (Alligin Photography)

The Royal Navy Senior Men's squad have beaten Cambridge University in a thrilling match that saw the Navy walk away with a 21-24 win.

Two tries from Will Scott, a well-timed cross-field kick by Jake Hanley to teammate Henry Gliddon, and a converted three-point penalty was enough to hold off the tough competition posed by the respected students from Cambridge.

The Navy's win comes a week after they beat Oxford University, giving the Navy Seniors a varsity grand slam.

The Navy was quick to apply the pressure on the Cambridge side and after a period of jostling, Will Scott powered through at short range to score the first converted try of the game to give the Navy the lead.

Cambridge soon took advantage of the Navy's disjointed defence where they broke through to score their own converted try, bringing the scoreboard level 7-7 going into half-time.

In the second half, the Royal Navy were keen to carry some momentum from the first half as Scott once again sliced through the line to score his second try of the evening.

In the final 20 minutes, both sides were seeing gaps to test out kicks, and a badly bouncing ball saw Cambridge take advantage of these exchanges to grab the ball and dot over the line to bring the scoreboard level once again at 14-14.

It didn't take long for Cambridge to finally take the lead, scoring another try to bring the score up 21-14, as the Royal Navy looked to gain control of the pace in the final stages of the game.

Cambridge didn't have long to enjoy their comfortable lead, however, as teamwork by Jake Hanley and Henry Gliddon gave the Navy the opportunity to break through, with Gliddon dotting over the line.

After the Navy were awarded a penalty, Hanley was on hand to convert the Navy's penalty, giving them a three-point lead at 21-24.

With both sides digging deep in the final stages, the Navy's strong defence was enough to hold off the students as the final whistle sounded, giving the Navy a 21-24 win in the students' backyard.