THE rugby league season has opened at a frantic pace with a string of matches to keep players on their toes.

The first match was a friendly against Conference side Somerset Vikings, with both sides using unlimited substitutions to give their squads a good run-out.

With several Navy players on the books of the Vikings it got a little confusing at times, but the civilian side came out on top at the end – not that the result was of great significance to either coach.

But the next fixture was deadly serious, with the Civil Service being put to the sword at Burnaby Road in the first round of the Scottish Courage Cup by the comfortable margin of 40-20.

The white collar men took an early 10-2 lead, but the RN used their superior fitness to put 26 points unanswered on to the board, taking an unassailable 28-10 lead at the break.

A second-half fightback by the Civil Service amounted to no more than a converted try, but the home side replied with two tries, a conversion and a penalty goal.

The following day saw an under-strength Royal Marines in action against the Royal Logistics Corps. With several regulars away the Royals put up a brave fight, with many new and upcoming players pushing for a place in the team.

The RM side finished on the wrong end of a 19-22 scoreline, a disappointment after the amount of hard work put in, and especially as they had four tries disallowed.

Meanwhile, for the third year running, LPT Mark Brocklesby of HMS Sultan RL organised the annual RNRL 9s at the home of Gosport and Fareham Vikings.

Service commitments hit the tournament hard, with just six teams making the draw – though special mention should go to HMS Caledonia for managing to get a team to the South Coast from north of the border.

Despite fielding a typically strong squad, previous winners HMS Heron were not to regain the title.

That honour went to HMS Collingwood, coached by LPT Ruby Murray and led by OM Dane Smallbone, who beat HMS Nelson in a tough final.

HMS Invincible took the plate trophy and the award for the best ship side, after beating a side from sister ship Ark Royal.

HMS Sultan’s full squad headed north to take on first-rate Lancashire amateur side Parkside Golborne from the North West Counties League.

Currently top of their league, Parkside put on an outstanding display of attacking rugby league to win convincingly 64-14.

Despite the heavy defeat, Sultan showed real character throughout the match and notching up 14 points against Parkside on home turf was a real achievement – the amateurs had only conceded 131 points in their previous 16 home games.

Led by LMEA ‘Warren’ Beattie, the Sultan side did RN rugby league proud against classy opposition, and were praised by the Parkside management for their determination and fitness levels throughout the match.

Detailed reports on the games and impending RL fixtures can be found on the RL page of the RN website at www.royalnavy.mod.uk