Rugby Union

Ruthless Royal Navy score seven tries to beat RAF in Inter Service opener

The Royal Navy men’s rugby union team have began their Inter Service title defence in style following a massive 47-16 victory over the Royal Air Force at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton.

They came into Northampton with a point to prove following a last-minute coaching change weeks prior to the opening fixture of the Inter Service championships, with Ben Priddey now spearheading the Senior Service side.

The defending champions wanted to make an impact at kick-off, but they had to concede a penalty to the RAF in the opening phases of the game.

RAF captain Mark Williams took on the kicking duties, and with a successful conversion he got the light blues on the scoreboard first.

The Navy responded well to the minor setback, with Jake Hanley diving over for the opening try, to which he then kicked between the posts for the conversion to give the Senior Service a 7-3 lead.

Ten minutes on, the Navy were on the charge with scrum-half Will Riglesford adding to the Navy’s tally.

As half time approached, Navy right wing Ben Chambers collected the offload from Malakaki Wacokecoke to deliver a third try for the Senior Service.

With the RAF only managing another penalty kick in the first half, they trailled the Navy by 21-6 at half time.

As the players returned for the second half, the RAF knew they had an important 40 minutes ahead of them.

A valiant defence from the Navy made the RAF work hard, but it would be Will Llewellyn who would get the first try for the light blues - dancing around the Navy defence to dot down over the whitewash.

A boost for the RAF following their first try of the game, but also a need to respond from the Navy.

Hooker Sam Matavesi threw the ball in for the Navy from the line out - and it would be Matavesi who would take hold of the ball inside the maul and dot down over the try line.

Less than 10 minutes later, Matavesi would repeat his heroics from the line out, scoring his second try of the game to put the Navy arguably out of reach from the light blues.

But the RAF would find their opportunity moments later, with substitute Josh Peacock pushing over the try line for the RAF’s second try.

But with Mark Williams not successfully kicking over the conversion, it might’ve already been too little, too late for the RAF.

Their fate was soon confirmed with Navy substitute George Edson going over the whitewash for the Navy’s sixth try of the game, perhaps the unofficial confirmation of what would be a Navy victory.

But the Navy were far from done as number eight Ratu Vakalutukali further bumped up the Navy’s tally with another try for the Senior Service.

At the full-time whistle, celebrations sounded for the Senior Service who walked away from Northampton with a commanding 47-16 victory over the RAF - a big step to retaining their title.

Royal Navy tighthead prop Ben Watson was named Player of the Match.

They will play the British Army at Allianz Stadium Twickenham on 2 May where they will have a chance to defend their Inter Service title.