Royal Navy secure narrow victory against RAF in thrilling Inter Service opener
The Royal Navy have won the opening Inter Service fixture by the narrowest of margins with a 25-24 victory over the Royal Air Force.
At a sunny Brickfields Stadium in Plymouth, the Navy come into this tournament as the defending champions, and defend they had to, with a hungry RAF team looking to cause an upset.
The Navy were the first to get off the bench with a penalty kick from Jordan Gott, before Kristan Dobson broke through the Air Force's defence to score the first try of the game.
Energised by their early success in the game, it didn't take long for the Navy to double down as Jesse Lowe followed up with a second try for the Navy.
The RAF had work to do to get a score on the board, and that happened in the 28th minute as Connor Morris powered his way over the line to get the light blues' first try.
Fiji national team player Sam Matavesi soon responded with another try for the Navy to extend their lead to 22-7.
Going into extra time, the RAF found a way to get a try in just in the nick of time, with James Roberts diving over the line just before half time, reining in the Navy's lead to 22-14.
The second half saw the Navy extend their lead by three points with a penalty kick by Jordan Gott.
But after Matavesi was unable to get to the try line, RAF's Will Lamont picked up the pieces and darted across the field much to the surprise of the Navy to score the light blues' third try of the game.
Jordan Oatley converted to put the RAF within a point behind the Navy at 25-24.
But the Navy held on to the end to take the win by the narrowest of margins, putting them one step closer to retaining their Inter Services title when they face the Army at Twickenham on 4 May.
RAF player Oatley was named Player of the Match.
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