By Graham Davis and LCDR Sion Griffiths
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Jason
Harpe looks to offload in attack in game one against Air
Force. Navy won against both Air Force and Army taking out
the championships for the first time.
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Photo:
LAC Euan Grant
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LSET
Chris Bohan breaks through the Air Force defence in game
one of the national championships. Navy went on to win 18-14.
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Photo:
LAC Euan Grant
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The
triumphant Royal Australian Navy rugby league team, the Navy Mariners,
have dominated selection in the Combined Services side.
This follows their victory in the tri-service rugby league carnival
held in Newcastle earlier this month.
The carnival saw the Mariners beat the Army side 24-8 in the final.
Man of the Match was LSCD Brad Simmons with tries to Brad Simmons,
Chris Bohan, MattHillyard, John Spence, Kade Edwards. Conversions:
Edwards (2).
Earlier the Mariners beat the RAAF team 18-14 in a close-fought
contest.
Man of the Match was LSCD Jason Harpe with tries to Brad Simmons,
Chris Bohan, Paul Coughlan and Ian Weeden.
Penalties: Scott Taylor (1) and conversions Scott Taylor (2).
RAAF beat the Army 22-14 in the consolation match.
Navy had ten players as well as our coach and manager selected
for the CASRL side. The Combined Services (CASRL) side will meet
the British Army in June.
Games against the New Zealand Defence Force, British Air Force
and NSW Police will follow.
The Mariners dominated the ADF Rugby League Carnival, which was
held at the Breakers Stadium in Newcastle between March 6 and
10.
LCDR Sion Griffiths president of the RAN Rugby League committee
said all three games were close contests.
“Fitness proved to be the telling factor in the second half with
LSCD Brad Simmons, (Player of the Tournament) showing touches
of absolute brilliance in both matches to penetrate the defence
and either score or assist in tries, “ LCDR Griffiths said.
“Brad capitalised on some excellent defence from the Navy team
which was out-sized but not out-muscled in the contests.” Best
Forward of the Tournament went to LSCD Jason Harpe while Best
Back went to Army’s Tim Johnson.
The Mariners began preparing for the Newcastle tour. tournament
in February with a trial game against a universities side in Berry.
A seven-day fitness and skills assessment under the watchful eyes
of the coach, manager POET Justin James and conditioning coach
POPTI Scott Gallon, followed.
Prior to the game against Army at Breakers, Rugby League icon
and ex-RAN and Kangaroo, Ferris Ashton presented jerseys to the
Mariners.
Ferris also gave a short but motivating speech to the players
before they “hit the paddock.” Each game was attended by members
of the NSW Rugby League and the NSWRL Academy.
The ten players selected in the Combined Services side were: Jason
Harpe, Chris Bohan, Daniel Struber, Brett Sinclair, John Briggs,
Kurt Simpson, Kade Edwards, Brad Simmons, John Spence and Nick
Knight.
Along with the ten players, the winning coach, LEUT David Wallis,
and manager, POATA Albertson, were also selected to lead the Combined
Services side.
“It was an excellent result considering it was Navy’s first official
year of Rugby League since the committee’s acceptance by the RAN
Sports Council and the introduction of the Patron’s Cup in 2003,”
LCDR Griffiths said.
The CASRL team played on Saturday afternoon at Peacock Oval, Toronto
against an enthusiastic NSW Corrective Services team.
Although the CASRL team was depleted due to injuries and allowed
the Corrective Services team to score more than they should have,
CASRL hung on to win convincingly 48 - 38.
Navy’s Chris Bohan, Kade Ewards, Dan Struber and CASRL captain
Jason Harpe all had good games for the combined side. Neither
Brad Simmons or Kurt Simpson played due to prior commitments.
The RANRL thanked its sponsors ATSA and Thales Underwater Systems
for their support in Newcastle by providing the team with outstanding
training, playing and dress uniforms.
