Rugby flavour all Navy
Stars shine in elite competitions around nation

By Gary Booth

POCSS Chris Boardman, POETSM Shaune Guppy and POCIS Bert Bertoncin celebrate after Rockingham Rugby Union Club won the WA First Grade Districts Competition, defeating Wanneroo 20-18

The home of Navy Rugby in Western Australia, the Rockingham Rugby Union Club won the WA First Grade Districts competition beating Wanneroo in a 20-18 thriller.

Navy was well represented in the Rockingham team with WA State player, POETSM Shaun Guppy, club captain POCIS Bert Bertoncin and the super sub POCSS Chris Boardman playing in the firsts.

Although Rockingham had beaten Wanneroo in their last three outings, Wanneroo had steadily improved in each game, closing the score differential, which provided for an exciting final. Rockingham's huge pack dominated the Wanneroo side throughout the game, while good, hard straight running from the Rocky backline that blew away the Wanneroo defence.

To Wanneroo's credit they had something left in the tank and got within a whisker of stealing the main prize from Rocky.

Rockingham's second grade team also made the grand final, however decimated by injury during the game they went down 20-13 in a hard fought match.

Again the Navy was well represented in the second grade team with LCDR Sean Nicholson, LSET Chris Hyde, LSCSO Corey Barras, LSMT Brad Streeter, LSEWASM Mat Dun and POCSS Chris Boardman. Chris was also a substitute for first grade. Rockingham's second grade team is coached by former CPOUWSM Steve Thomas, now a civilian employee at FBW.

For many years personnel posted to HMAS Stirling and homeported ships have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with the Rockingham Rugby Union Club.

Personnel posting to the West in 2004 and looking for a run in the local competition should contact Steve Thomas at FBW on 08 9553 3719. For those with an eye on representing Navy Rugby at the national level, Steve Thomas is a national selector.

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