A LARGE crowd turned up at the Rectory on Wednesday night to witness Devonport Services take on the Royal Navy in a prestigious fixture.
The Navy, preparing for their Inter-Services Championship, ended up triumphing 36-14, but for more than 60 minutes, until wholesale changes were made by both sides, there was nothing in the contest.
The fact that the Navy were even playing Services in a final preparation game ahead of meeting the RAF shows how far the city side have come.
And Devonport head coach Ben Russell felt it was a perfect way for his team to challenge themselves ahead of promotion to National League Two West next season.
“We wanted to test ourselves to see where we might be next year and it was cracking,” he said after the game.
“After 50-odd minutes it was 14-14. Our defence was banging but our attack wasn’t as good as it could have been with the weather conditions.
“But overall it was really, really good.”
With no first or second team game this coming weekend after Ivybridge pulled out of both Devon cup matches, Services named a squad of 30 for Wednesday’s fixture and finished with many of their young players that have been featuring for their second team in Counties Two Devon.
The Navy, in contrast, brought on a number of experienced players like Gaz Evans, Craig Duncan, Jessie Lowe and Jay Toogood.
“It was good for the young lads to play in that type of game, especially with where we are going next year,” said Russell.
“I think coming off at 14-14 after 55 minutes was good and then we brought the young lads on and it was a chance for them to see where they are.”
In wet and misty conditions, Services, with Mark Friend impressing, started well and they took the lead in the 15th minute when scrum-half Dan Goldstone scored from close range following a catch-and-drive move.
But gradually the Navy got more into the game, but they found Services’ defence in top form.
However, in the 36th minute their pressure did tell and winger Matt Hall scored in the right corner after good play from a line-out on the left and Jordan Gott added the conversion.
And in first half injury-time, the Navy went in front when a rare missed Services tackle let flanker Lewis Roxby in for a try under the posts. Gott added the easy conversion to give the Navy a 14-7 lead at the break.
Devonport did come out strong for the second period and they pulled level when Friend scored a brilliant try after Goldstone set him free 35 metres out. Matt Neyle, who moved to fly-half after Richard West went off injured, added the conversion.
The Navy edged back in front with a penalty by Jake Hanley and in the 62nd minute Services picked up a yellow card and their opponents took advantage with centre Kristian Dobson scoring a converted try after a great scrum.
The Navy really got on top in the scrum in the closing stages and they added two more tries courtesy of Hanley and one from Toogood.
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