Royal Navy win back Inter Service title after nail-biting Army clash at Allianz Stadium
The Royal Navy senior men's rugby team have beaten the British Army to win back the Inter Service Championship title following a nail-biting clash at Allianz Stadium.
The Senior Service lost the Babcock Trophy and the overall Inter Service title to the Army in heartbreaking fashion in 2024, but a year later, they were able to get their revenge on the reds after a feisty encounter at the home of English Rugby.
The Army got the early advantage after the Navy threw away the ball into the hands of the red shirts, and Lance Bombardier Senitiki Nayalo took full advantage once the number 8 had the ball to dot down for a first converted try.
The Navy dug deep to mount a response to the Army's early try, and it was Royal Marines Lance Corporal Ben Mallett who dove over the tryline to get the Navy off the starting blocks, but fly half Leading Seaman Jake Hanley couldn't add the extras.
The Army came flying back and once again LBdr Nayalo came through to dot down for his second try and fly half Sapper Jack Johnson added the extras.
But the Navy soon tussled their way back into the Army's' 22 and Marine Jamin Hoffman launched over the tryline for the Navy's second try.
The Army were in the driving seat at half time, but with a narrow 14-12 lead over the Navy.
In the second half, the Navy came back roaring with a Sergeant Ratu Vakalutukali try to reclaim the lead for the Navy in the early stages of the last 40.
But soon after, Army full back Lance Corporal Solodrau Radianirova hit back with another try for the reds.
But disaster soon struck for the Army when Gunner Luke Rokomoce mistakenly touched the ball down over the Navy tryline, and the Navy were therefore awarded a try penalty and were then leading by 21-29.
Things did not get better for the Army as an offload by Fusilier Jake Cole was caught by Fijian international Sam Matavesi whose sprint to the tryline landed the Navy another try, extending the Senior Service's lead to 21-34.
The Army were quick to respond, with prop Sergeant Nathanael Titchard-Jones breaking through the Navy defence to dot down under the sticks, and German international Sapper Cam McDonald following up with a second try for the Army.
But it was too late for the Army to pull back the deficit.
Come the full-time whistle, the Navy cheered with jubilation as they celebrated a 33-37 victory to win the Babcock Trophy and the overall Inter Service Championship title back from the Army.
Sam Matavesi was awarded the Babcock Player of the Match award following his phenomenal try in the second half.
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