The Royal Navy Rugby League squad’s promising start to the season has faltered in recent weeks with two defeats in the Scottish Courage Cup.

A trip to the heartland of the sport – West Yorkshire – to take on GB Police at Dewsbury was always going to be a tough task, especially with the law enforcers coached by former Bradford Bull Jon Hamer.

And so it proved. Despite a second-half fight-back, the policemen’s first-half showing was enough to ensure they ran out 36-18 winners.

On the plus side, the match was an excellent blooding for new RN talent and the return of some old favourites, notably Royal Marine Mark Donaldson, a stalwart of RNRL since its inception.

Playing on what was virtually home turf for him, he bagged two tries and deservedly earned the Navy’s ‘Man of the Match’ accolade. Danny Ellison scored the Navy’s third try with a conversion put over by Robbie Roberts.

The third round of the cup proved no easier as the sailors played host to BARLA U21s on home soil.

Despite determination, the home side was no match for BARLA, a showcase side for budding stars; many of the squad were fighting for places in an imminent tour of Australia.

Already beaten by half-time, the sailors and Royal Marines put on a fierce second-half showing and notched up one try, scored by Dane Smallbone, converted by Danny Coffey.

The RL East-West clash takes place this month at Gosport Park, home of Gosport and Fareham Vikings.

The State of Origin match, so far dominated by the Eastern Command, kicks off at 3pm on Wednesday July 14. Entry to the match is free.