The Inter Services roadshow moved up to RAF Cranwell for the second round with the RN joining the competition away to the RAF. The poor weather leading up to the day relented and as the breeze dropped during the day all matches were player in near perfect conditions. Due to player unavailability the RAF had cancelled the Veterans fixture but the three remaining matches provided great entertainment with all six teams providing good entertainment, great skills and plenty of incident to entertain the spectators throughout the day.

RAF Ladies 4:28 Wrenegades

Full of confidence after a successful foray into the National Conference the RN Ladies controlled large parts of their game against their light blue counterparts thoroughly deserving the emphatic win. After 12 minutes of sparring the RN were first to score, good handling from inside their own half and a final run of four passes found Fiesha Green out on the RN left and from 20 metres was unstoppable to register the first points of the day. On the back of a succession of conceded penalties the visitors found themselves having to be at their best defensively but they were up to the task and held the line. Regaining possession in their own half the RN Ladies pushed upfield pushing through a grubber kick which earned them a penalty for an RAF offside the Wrenegades set for another attack. From the restart Sarah Simms took the ball at pace and scattered the RAF defence to post the next Navy score, this time with a better angle Sam Alderson was successful with the conversion, 0:10. Another succession of penalties and loose ball allowed the RAF back into the Wrenegades half and this time they were successful scoring their only points of the match out wide on their right, with the conversion missed it was 4:10 to the RN. Five minutes before the break the RAF were reduced to 12 players for the rest of the match after Fiesha Green was stopped by having her hair pulled. From the resulting penalty the RN made the RAF pay in the best way with Lou Clarke skinning the defence and going over for the RN 3rd try of the match. Half time came then with the RN ahead by 14 points to 4.

The second half began with both teams down to 12 RN Centre Clark being yellow carded for dissent following a frustrating passage of play for the Wrenegades,. Clarke’s absence evened things up and although the RAF tried hard they could not get another score as the dominant RN defence remained on top. Shortly after returning from the ‘bin’ Clarke rounded off a brilliant RN move as the ball passed through several pairs of hands before coming to the centre who crossed for her second try of the day, another Alderson conversion pushed the RN out to a 24:4 lead. The next RN score came in somewhat bizarre fashion, another RN attack was held up and the RAF were awarded a scrum on their 10 metre line, from the scrum the ball was spilled and Lou Clarke appeared to gather the ball cleanly and scoot under the posts for her hat trick. Both sides appeared convinced that the score was good and set themselves for the conversion attempt and restart. The Referee and TJ judged otherwise and awarded the scrum to the RN for the first knock on. Once the Wrenegades made it back from halfway the scrum was played and more good hands got them within inches of the line before being held up, it was only a brief respite though, from the play the ball Janine Lindley burst through the tiring RAF defence to score her first try for the RN Ladies. The final score of the Ladies match went to RN full back Sam Alderson who rounded of another good performance wit a well taken try out on the RN Right. Final Score RAF 4: 28 Wrenegades, a great all round performance from the ladies who welcomed back Zoe Waring at scrum half who gave the team more options building on a great platform made by the pack. Lou Clarke was awarded e Player of the match narrowly shading it over RAF full back Sam Tomes who had followed up her great performance against the Army with another great display. Darren West was justifiably proud of his squad and takes them back to training camp in a very positive mood ahead of next weeks clash against the Army.

Wrenegades Sam Alderson, Nat Bavister, Sarah Jenkins, Lou Clarke, Marie Hallam, Loz Morton, Zoe Waring, Chez Morton, Emma Swinton, Sarah Simms, Helen Ing, Emily Atkins, Fiesha Green, Sophia Doherty, Viki Stansfield, Janine Lindley, Holly Williams
Scorers: T Green, Simms, Clarke (2) Lindley, Alderson
G Alderson 2 (C)

RAF Ladies Sam Tomes, Becky Scargill, Chantelle De Beaufort Apps, Beth Shippin, Grace Taylor, Mahayla Attis, Vicky Ball, Kirsty Aston, Rachel Watson, Kathy Kingswood, Kim Williams, Emma Nixon, Kelly Barrell
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RAF Academy 00:48 RN Academy

The RN Academy under the guidance of new Coach Lee Hunter got their IS campaign off to the best possible start with a comprehensive 48-0 victory over the RAF Academy in the second of the days matches.
The RN settled quickly into their game and after one attempt was thwarted by the RAF defence the ball went back into midfield where Jack Savage latched on to a pass to crash over close to the posts, Jono Bethwaite scoring the first of his 6 conversions of the match. Despite a poor recovery from the kick off the RN dealt with the first meaningful attack by the RAF and were soon on the attack again. Great play across the field got the ball out to Simon Tulakepa who crossed for his first try of the afternoon in this his debut match in RN colours, 10:0 after 15 minutes. Five minutes later the RN were on the board again, an attack started in the RN half moved quickly up field and again the left wing was too strong for the RAF defence, this time centre Kami Kamikamica barged over the line taking three defenders with him to give Bethwaite another straight forward conversion. The RAF did their best to get back into the match but the RN remained strong in defence the pack taking the lead as time and again RAF attacks were repelled. As the clock reached the half hour mark a seemingly innocuous tackle by RN replacement Neil Jackson left him laid out in agony needing serious attention. Jacko was taken by Ambulance from the field but such was the delay the Referee called the halftime break early.

The extended break in play did nothing to break the RN concentration and they soon resumed business as usual in the second half, more pressure on the RAF line was rounded off by a try for hooker Johnny Platt, one of the most prolific scores in RNRL history, who scooted over for the try under the posted to give Bethwaite an easy two pointer. The next score for the RN came 15 minutes into the half and was a fantastic piece of teamwork and ball skills, the RAF conceded the turn over and the RN immediately made progress up field, four rapid play the balls had the ball almost up to half way before Kamikamica took on the RAF defence single handed, beating three defenders he sprinted 50 metres to the line, Bethwaite again making a good conversion, 28:0, with 25 minutes left. The RAF were now in disarray as yet another RN attack was launched from the kick off, almost inevitably the ball went out to the left wing but the move was halted by a high tackle on Tulakepa. From the resulting penalty the ball went through several hands before being shot out to Tulakepa himself who responded to the foul in the best possible way by touching down for his second of the day. The pressure was incessant on the RAF line now and it was only a matter of a couple of minutes before the RN were over again, this time second rower George Qaranivolu forced his way over out to the left easing the score to 36:0. The RN half backs rounded off the scoring for the RN in the last ten minutes of the game, Kyle Larvin rounded of a great personal performance with a try of his own which Bethwaite converted and the final score of the match went to his half back partner Jon Cadmore who again crossed to give Bethwaite his fifth conversion on the day to give the RN a 48:0.

A great all round performance by the RN Academy with a massive effort in the pack supported by outstanding wing play on both sides. Due to injuries within the pack Ben Cartwright did almost the full match on the pitch and added another man of the match performance to the one he picked up in last years match against the Army. Delighted with his squad’s performance coach Lee Hunter has a great platform on which to hunt the victory over the Army. As a footnote Neil Jackson was given the all clear by the local hospital and what was initially diagnosed as suspected pelvic damage proved to be soft tissue damage and he returned with his teammates later that evening.

Royal Navy Academy Jon Bethwaite, Simon Tulakepa, Kami Kamikamica, Roko Kurusasa, Paul Saberton, Richard Cadywould, Kyle Larvin, Ben Madigan, Johnny Platt, Ben Cartwright, Jack Savage, George Qaranivulu, Sam Drury, Wayne Dannant, Ke Beasley, Neil Jackson, Gary Mitchell
Scorers T Tulakepa (2) Kamikamika (2), Cadworthy, Larvin, Savage, Qaranivolou
G Bethwaite 6(C)

RAF Academy Dan Beswick, Jon Paul Evans, Gareth Swanson, Jay Morbey, Gavin Mason, Scott Cash, Sid Lewis, Breeze, Tim Carter, Mark Rutter, Andrew Robinson, Mike Knock, Chris Kellock, Nat Parkin, Tom Moor, Glen Alison, Jon Campbell

RAF 20:18 RN

After two entertaining matches earlier in the day the Seniors match provided another thrilling spectacle over the 80 minutes packed full of incident skill and tough uncompromising Inter Services Rugby League.

As would be expected the first 15 minutes had both sides testing each others strengths and weaknesses especially in the tackle where no quarter was given and players from both side were showing signs of massive contact already. The deadlock was broken after 17 minutes, the RN were coming away from their own line but were adjudged to have passed forward so the RAF had the scrum. From the base of the scrum Jimmy Bargett cleverly darted behind his own players to cross under the posts giving Wood an easy conversion, 6:0. Five minutes later the RN were further behind as Prop forward Watkins crossed to the right of the post with the conversion being kicked by Si Wray. This second score only served to inspire the RN who got themselves back into the game and dominated the latter part of the first half. The pressure finally told after a good period of pressure close to the RAF line full back Darren Bamford joined the line in centre field taking the ball at pace hitting a good line to cross to the right of the posts. With Dane Smallbone off the field Bamford converted his own kick to get the RN on the board and give them hope for the second half.

The second half began with the RAF trying to emulate their performance the week before but this time the RN line held firm and the Brothers took the game back to the RAF. 12 minutes into the half Bamford struck for hi second, again joining the line he stepped the RAF defence once more to cross under the posts, Dane Smallbone now back in the fray slotted home the conversion. Bamfords success spurred the Brothers on to even greater efforts and with the RAF now on the back foot the RN pressed for another score which came almost on the hour mark. Sili Buinimasi had been effective in defence putting in some great hits but now turned himself to attack, latching onto an inside pass he easily beat the RAF defence to touchdown to the right of the posts. Smallbone was again on target and for the first time in the match the RN were ahead with around 20 minutes to go. Whilst being ahead on the scoreboard the Brothers were losing the injury score, injuries to Ian Cooper, Ritchie Metcalfe and Ade Peel severely weakened the Brothers reserves but those fit enough to stay on the field put up heroic resistance but with 15 minutes to go the flyers crossed again, influential second row Jordan Andrade went over on the right wing to bring the RAF within two points of the Brothers, Wood failing with the kick. More heroic resistance from the RN side seemed to have the match safe but with only three minutes left on the clock another move down the right saw Andrade go over again on the right to break the heats of the RN, Wood again failed with the conversion so the RA had regained the lead 20:18. A final flurry of activity saw the RN come agonisingly close to breaking the RAF cover again but it was not to be and Ref Danny MacNeice blew the final whistle on a game that had everything for the neutral spectator but was a massive disappointment for all involved with RNRL. Ultimately the injury count cost the RN the match especially in the dying minutes of the game, all credit to the 17 players who put up such a magnificent fight to the end. Inevitably man of the match went to RAF no 10 Andrade for his two late trys which decide the match. The RN physio team also deserve a mention for their efforts, led by Joyce Evans who covered all three matches throughout the day did their best to treat the injuries whilst preventing further injury.

Royal Navy: Darren Bamford, Lloyd Williamson, Silivenuisi Buinimasi, James Wagstaffe, Mike Haldenby, Dane Smallbone, Kev Botwood, Ritchie Metcalfe, Steve Lockton, Lewis Taylor, Ade Peel, Craig Sutton, Mark Robinson, Jon Humphrey, Ben Taylor, Ian Cooper, Wata Robanakavadu,
Scorers T. Bamford (2) Buinimasi
G Smallbone 2 (C), Bamford 1 (C)

RAF Si Wray, John Turner, Andrew Hogg, James Hutchinson, Tom Perrin, Martin Wood, Gary Dunn, Matt Watkins, Jimmy Bargett, Jordan Andrade, Dale Jinks, Jon Coley, Lee Queeley, Sion Williams, Al Blewitt, Jason Battle, Rhys Williams
Scorers: T Bargett, Watkins, Andrade (2)
G Wood (C) Wray (C)