GOTCHA: Navy rugby players LSPT Matthew Hilyard and LSSN Jason Harrington ensure their Army opponent goes to ground.

Photo: Bill Cunneen

Rugby lesson

Navy 52 defeated Air Force 6 Navy 23 defeated Army 22 = CHAMPIONS!

By Andrew Stackpool

By LCDR Antony Underwood Navy’s one-point win against Army in the rugby union championships has capped off a stellar season of representative football for the senior service.

It began with Navy sundering Army’s 18-year stranglehold on the ADF Australian Football championship at Manuka Oval in mid-April.

And though Navy was a touch unlucky in the rugby league, it did contribute seven players in the star-studded ADF side which handed out a Hakadeflating 30-0 defeat to the New Zealand Defence Force side.

In the men’s rugby union, things augured well with Navy notching up a convincing 52-6 victory over Air Force in Sydney on May 15.

And Navy displayed match-winning prowess in a hard-fought clash with Army at Randwick on May 18 resulting in a 23-22 win for the service.

It was a big day too for the Navy women’s team who had won only once (2003) in the previous five years women’s games have been held.

This year’s 10-5 victory over Army women’s team was a stunning turnaround from the loss to Army last year. Director of Navy Rugby, CMDR Bob Plath, and coaches of the men’s and women’s teams, Geoff Stokes and CPOET Glenn Morrisey, said the victories had exceeded their expectations.

The teams had embarked on a two-year development plan.

Navy footy wins leave the rest eating dust

PACK DOWN: Navy women’s scrum holds the might Army at bay.

Photo: ABPH Justin Brown

This followed the dismal performances of Navy in 2004 which included a 43-6 defeat in the men’s and a 37-0 defeat in the women’s game.

“We had a two-year goal with the aim of completely reworking the teams for victories next year,” said CMDR Plath, “in the men’s, this was with an eye also to fielding a winning side in the Commonwealth Navies Cup to be held in Capetown in October 2006.

“We asked Rugby players to step up in 2005 and we need to up the pace in 2006.

“We know that there are others out there who are good enough who need to show the commitment and get involved.” Men’s coach Geoff Stokes, who also coaches Canberra’s Wests club, said the result had vindicated the decision to field 10 new caps in this year’s Navy RU team.

“It was clear the team needed fresh blood,” he said, “and that combined with the commitment and attitude of players was outstanding – as was the support we received on the day.” Brad Sharman carried off the Sooty Hansen Trophy for best and fairest men’s player.

Coach of the Navy women’s team CPOET Glenn Morrisey said the 24 women who had volunteered to play rugby in 2005 had “begun the season as individuals and ended playing with heart as a team”.

“They took women’s rugby from one level and moved it up to a second level but what won the game was heart,” he said.

CPO Morrisey said the team, captained by PONPC Natasha “Kit Kat” Williams, should look to build and dominate in the way that Army women had done for a considerable period.

 

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