Newcastle rolls on in Abu Dhabi

HMAS Newcastle rugby players contest a lineout thrown by the local Abu Dhabi team.

The HMAS Newcastle side after its win in the Middle East. Photos: ABPH Kaye Adams

By LCDR Romina Barnes

During a recent visit to Abu Dhabi, HMAS Newcastle’s (CAPT Gerry Christian) rugby team was victorious against the local team, winning by three tries to two during a very close match.

Tries were scored by CPOMT East, ABATA Axiak and POPTI Williams.

Whilst Newcastle’s team had not played together before, there was plenty of talent around with three members of the team being RAN Rugby Union players.

The game was played at the Abu Dhabi golf driving range, a 40-minute bus ride away from the ship.

This did not deter ship’s company, as a vocal support team piled into three buses to cheer on the visitors.

The only peculiar side to the game was that the venue did not have any goal posts, so the match was purely a try-scoring affair.

Players of the match were LSET Northey, LSMT Mortimer and ABATA Axiak.

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