Royal Navy Women's Rugby League - First Game Match Report

RNRL W 24 v 0 Portsmouth Uni

After only three months of training the Royal Navy Women’s Rugby League side played their first match against the Portsmouth UNI on Saturday 24th May 2008. This was the culmination of a lot of hard work from both the team and the coaching staff, LPT Jack Daniels and LPT Fred West assisted by Steve Smallbone. The result was an impressive display of commitment and enthusiasm as the Navy forced their way to a 24-0 victory over the local side. The game had three tries scored in each half (Lt Sara Collen (2), ET Emily Atkins (2), POWEA Nat Philips, AB Jenni Andrews) in a game that, although it started a bit shaky with the girls showing initial nerves, settled as they began to enjoyed the majority of the possession.

Although Portsmouth UNI had some impressive runners the girls made every effort to bring these down and stayed on top of the game very rarely being split by the opposition and never really looking as though the opposition were going to score.

Everyone present played with determination and drive leading to a very difficult decision to single out an individual player for the women of the match but a final call from the team Captain (POWEA Nat Philips) nominated ET Lou Graham as a worthy winner.

Team List

AB Carla Pashby
AB Erica Atwood
Ab Sarah Buchanan
AB Ashley Casey
Naval Nurse Sarah King
Naval Nurse Laura Kennedy
AB Clare Brewer
AB Analese Clarke
AB Emma Swinton
LT CDR McWilliams
ET Jodi Davies
AB Rachael Mifsord
Midshipman Rachael Boast
MA Kate Parkman
Lt Sara Collen
ET Emily Atkins
POWEA Nat Philips (C)
AB Jenni Andrews
ET Lou Graham

They are now looking forward to their next fixture against Nottingham in June and we hope to continue to build on what we have achieved.

Anyone interested in joining this developing and exciting side should contact LPT Jack Daniels (mws-cwd-pt12, HMS Collingwood Ext 2217)

 

A couple of questions

1. How come Lou Graham was woman of the match but isn't shown in the team list?

2. Do they swap shirts at the end of the match?

If the answer to 2 is yes, have you posted the pics on the site?

Well done ladies. Perhaps they could take on the Tongans next year

 

Re: Royal Navy Women's Rugby League - First Game Match Repor

Well done ladies! And to Jack, Fred and Chopper (you handsome barsteward ) for coaching them.

A little birdy tells me that one of the above mentioned girlies is probably going to be turning out for the Combined Services very very soon...

 

Re: Royal Navy Women's Rugby League - First Game Match Repor

Oops well spotted Janner team list updated.

Your little birdy was correct Matelot, the Combined Services team played last weekend against London & the South as part of the selection trials for the England Womens team that will play in their World Cup in Australia later this year. They play the 2nd fixture this Sunday (15th) at RAF Uxbridge against the North West counties team.

As for playing the Tongans well plans to tour oversea's ( but not Tonga) next year are at a very early stage so watch this space for further developments.

Of a much higher priority at the moment though is for the RN to win the first Womens RL Inter-Service Tournament in September.