The Eastern Commands retained the Royal Navy Rugby League State of Origin Trophy in a match which demonstrated once again the increasing popularity of the sport within the Service.

More than 40 of the Navy’s top players met in Portsmouth to contest Origin II, and conditions were almost perfect for fast open rugby – an opportunity grasped by both teams as they entertained a large crowd which included several Army players team who had gathered ahead of the Inter-Services match against the RAF two days later.

Former Great Britain, Wigan and Leeds star Andy Gregory, who is helping coach the Army, was also there with his new charges.

The first half belonged to the Eastern Command, led by LPT Knocker White, as they put together some excellent moves, spreading the ball out as often as possible to the wings.

The opening score came after five minutes, with a penalty goal for MEM Scott Partis, and directly from the kick-off the Easts went further ahead with a brilliant try by AEM Dave Roberts, following a break through centre field from OM Marc Warren.

The Wests replied with a penalty goal, but despite a strong defensive effort the Easts continued to press home their advantage, scoring three more unanswered tries, including a brace for OM Dane Smallbone.

With Scott Partis kicking another two goals, it was not looking good for the Wests’ coach Sgt Chris Richards, but they dug deep and as the match moved towards the break they came back into contention with a converted try to set up a possible second-half fight-back.

The Wests began the second half strongly, taking up where they left off at half time, and for the first few minutes it looked as though the Wests were going to come right back into it.

This recovery was halted when LMEA Matt Beattie gathered the ball on his own 30-metre line and raced through the Wests’ defence, beating several would-be tacklers to score the try of the match in the corner.

Again the Wests replied with a try of their own to keep them in the game at 26-10, but a flurry of tries midway through the half - one for the Easts and two for the Wests’ Cpl Al Sullivan - left the score at 32-20.

The final ten minutes were scoreless apart from a Scott Partis drop goal, but was good entertaining rugby for all that.

The final whistle saw the Easts retain the Origin Trophy by 33-20, with the quality of the game fully justifying the introduction of the match format, which acts as a final shake-down before the Inter-Services competition.

Denise Shepherd, manager of Nelsons Bar in Gosport - sponsors of the match - presented the trophy to LPT Knocker White, captain of the Easts. Man of the Match trophies went to LWEA Tom McKenna for the Easts and Mne Taff Parry for the Wests.

The plans for the Australian Combined Services tour to UK next month are in the final stages now, and full details will be announced shortly.

Pictures by LA(PHOT) Nicky Harper