Having beaten the Royal Australian Navy in their opening match of the tri-nation Commonwealth Cup tournament in New Zealand, the Royal Navy squad, took advantage of the unseasonably warm weather to ease aching muscles and prepare for the New Zealand game.

The hospitality at HNZMS Philomel, the Naval Base at Devonport, Auckland, was magnificent. Special meal times and a total flexibility to suit the RN’s needs was never questioned.

On the day after the match the squad swam in the outdoor pool, and the afternoon was set aside for the players to take in some more sights and buy souvenirs.

Preparations for the Royal Navy’s second and final game of the tournament was similar to the first. They knew that the loss to the Army just two weeks before had not only meant a lot to them, but also helped the RNZN cause.

On the day of the match, early spectators were treated to a double helicopter display as a RNZN Sea Sprite and HMS Marlborough’s Lynx performed in the sky above the ground.

The match ball was delivered by Rear Admiral Peter McHaffie RNZN, who was greeted by Lt Cdr Bernie Henderson RNZN, the competition organiser.

HMS Marlborough’s Ship’s Company, led by their Commanding Officer Capt Mark Anderson, arrived in good time and prepared to greet the Royal Navy squad. The RNZN could be heard in the distance - preparing for the haka...

The RNZN band marched smartly on to the pitch in preparation to greet the teams and play the anthems, but first came HMS Marlborough’s welcome. Obviously well-prepared the frigate’s ship’s company greeted the RN with a resounding chorus of Hearts of Oak.

After the anthems the Royal Navy soaked up some early RNZN pressure to turn the game and immediately put three points on the scoreboard with a penalty from scrum half Dave Pascoe.

After ten minutes the RN had a scrum 30 yards out from the RNZN line and full back Spencer Brown ran the ball in at speed, making a superb pass to fly half Dave Sibson, then out to centre Dave Jones for the first try of the afternoon. The conversion was missed.

Undaunted by the RN start, the RNZN fought back and only a try-saving tackle by winger James Hearsey stopped a certain score on the right flank.

On 20 minutes, after a break by RNZN, the ball was knocked on, and the resulting scrum won by RN. The backs, led by Brown, moved the ball around well, switching from side to side and eventually releasing Brown for the try, which Pascoe converted.

Immediately the RN changed both props, a move that was planned knowing the strength of the RNZN forwards. Both Wayne Parry and John Court had done their job, and Nick Bartlett and Dan Parkes had to match their performance.

On the half hour some scrappy play started to develop, but each side kept their composure and the RN went further ahead through a second try by Brown as he scorched through the defence, jumping out of two tackles to reach the line.

The RNZN knew where their strength was and began to dominate, camping in the RN 22. After a succession of penalties, only good defence by the RN denied the strong RNZN pack going over; time after time RN were penalised and time after time the RNZN chose to scrum down.

Finally, after quick ball, the RNZN backs opened up and the tiring RN defence could not prevent RNZN winger Mark Latu scoring wide on the wing. The conversion was missed and half-time whistle was blown with score 20-5 to the RN.

The second half was a more fluid affair, with the RNZN backs handling the ball well but failing to capitalise as their lack of pace allowed the RN to catch them on the break.

In the 48th minute the RNZN centre Malcolm Alker ran through after winning a turned-over ball and breaking through a leaky RN defence to score. The conversion was missed.

An injury to Hearsey allowed Andy Vance to run the left wing and Ben Slatter had now taken over the hookers’ roll as Jan Laity retired with a tight chest. Lee Norris made the replacement in the scrum.

The RN continued to absorb pressure, defending their line well, but as they cleared one attack an interception by centre Andre Taikato was taken well and he got through the defence to score a converted try, bringing the score to 20-17 to RN.

The visitors responded with some good drives, rucks and mauls, but failed to break through until Dave Sibson at fly half passed out to winger Richard Neve, who switched inside and delivered a good pass to the rampaging Bob Armstrong.

As he was tackled the RN won a penalty, but Pascoe put it wide of the posts.

A blistering run by outside centre Paul Clark ended when his chip ahead was wayward, and with seven minutes on the clock RN flanker Matt Parker got over in a driven maul but was judged to be held up over the line.

The RNZN were then penalised for pulling down a line out and the RN opted for the corner, pressing for a try. This was repeated, and in the next line out the maul was driven over the line for Armstrong to touch down.

This gave the RN the breathing space they needed, and they worked hard to retain the ball with just two minutes to play. Armstrong and Parker took the ball into consecutive rucks to maintain possession, and when the RNZN were penalised, Clark’s kick into touch was the last action of the game.

Royal Navy Man of the Match: Musn Spencer Brown RM

RNZN MOM: AGUN Mark Latu

Royal Navy team:
16. AEM John Court
2. LA Jan Laity
17. CPO Wayne Parry
4. Surg Lt Mike Cordner
5. LPT Glen Cavanagh
6. Sgt Bob Armstrong
7. Capt Matt Parker (V Capt)
8. LOM(c) Ben Slatter
9. AEM Dave Pascoe
10. PO Dave Sibson
11. AEM Paul Hearsey
12. OM Dave Jones
13. S/Lt Paul Clark
14. Mne Richard Neve
15. Mne Spencer Brown
Replacements: 1. PO Nick Bartlett (Capt), 3. AEM Dan Parkes, 18. Cpl Lee Norris,
19. Lt Ben Grange, 20. S/Lt Michael Cox, 21. AEM Owen Salmon, 22. AEA Andy Vance.

Royal New Zealand Navy:
ABS Rene Rangi, OCH Tim Tehau, LET Matty Anderson, LGUN, Toby Mills, LSN John JJ Kohi, POPT Ray Climo, AMT Heath Haua, S/Lt Eddie Christian, ACH John Hood, POSN Lance Tahiwi (Capt), AGUN Mark Latu, ACSO Andre Taikato, POPT Malcolm Alker, POET Samy Garlick, LS Colin Ruri. Replacements: LCH Mike Kennedy, ASN Len Kingi, AMT Chris Henrickson, Matt Jeffries, PODR Graeme Meyer, ACH Tyson Job, ODR Wiremu Milham.

Referee: Mr Greg Watson (NHRAA)

The celebrations began immediately for the jubilant RN, and continued during the post-match dinner and formalities at the New Zealand Defence Force’s Ngataringa club.

The RNZN were congratulated for their hospitality and for the well-organised tournament. Each Service’s senior officer present spoke, and each squad captain responded. The spirit of the competition had been a resounding success, and with a Republic of South Africa Navy Rugby Union (SANRU) representative observing the competition it is with some optimism that all the players look forward to an announcement from the SANRU about the possibility of South Africa hosting the competition in 2006.

The RNRU squad flew back to the UK from Auckland via Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

An event of this magnitude requires not only an immense amount of organisation but also a considerable amount of financial funding, and the RNRU was most grateful to the official sponsors of the 2003 tour – VT Group, whose logo was prominently displayed on the front of the jerseys; Southwest Sea Foods, a long-standing supporter of Royal Navy rugby; Marina Developments; Connolly Leisure, another long-standing sponsor; and the Sports Lottery.

Contributions by the Sports Lottery to sports events is all thanks to each and every member of the Service who pays a voluntary contribution to assist sports events and equipment throughout the Royal Navy.

Tour Reporter: Lt Cdr Charlie Neve RN, photographs courtesy of RNZN and tour reporter