A strong consistent performance throughout the day saw the REME squad from Bordon Camp led by Dan Turner take the RNRL 9’s Trophy at HMS Excellent.
The competition superbly organised by RNRL Head Coach Steve Lockton returned to the Wardroom Lawns at Whale Island on a cracking hot sunny afternoon. Great for the many spectators who paused in their journey’s around Excellent to watch the action but tough on the players! Whilst the matches are of a relatively short duration the introduction of second pitch this year meant turnaround times were very quick testing the stamina of players and officials alike.
Eight teams competed this year involving over 100 players all keen to claim the title. Congratulations to all teams and their players for taking part with a special mention to the RN Scotland team who had travelled the length of England to be here on the day. The two RN Air Stations sent teams up from the West Country and nearer to home the Fleet was represented by HMS Darings RL Squad. The Engineers from HMS Sultan provided another strong team along with the small but powerful Naval Base Portsmouth squad made up the RN Contingent. Bordon Camp provided the competitions winners in a REME squad who were joined in the competition by fellow Army team from the Army Medical Squadron.
The competition was based on a League format initially with a knockout play off completion to finish the tournament.
After the first part of the competition the standings were as follows:
League 1
Sultan
RNAS Culdrose
Army Med Sqn
HMS Daring

League 2
REME
HMNB Portsmouth
RNAS Yeovilton
HMS Daring

The next stage of the tournament was the knockout stage which resulted in an excellent final between the day’s strongest sides HMS Sultan and the REME team. After lot of great play and hard work in the late afternoon sun the Army side were victorious taking the game14-12.

RNRL Chairman Capt Phil Waterhouse RN congratulated all involved for an excellent tournament before awarding the trophy’s. Player Of The Tournament went to Kye Beasley from the Sultan squad; the big forward had a great day thoroughly deserving his award. Runners up HMS Sultan were understandably disappointed at not taking the trophy for the fourth time in its history but accepted the REME side were deserved winners.
Capt Waterhouse gave a special mention to Scotland skipper Kev Botwood for getting a team down for the tournament and for scoring one of the try’s of the day, a break from his own half saw Kev beat the defence to race almost the length of the pitch to score, the actual distance is a cause of some debate, at least 75 metres was the best estimate however this may well have been increased to in excess of 100 metres by now!

HMS Sultan hosts the next date in the RNRL Calendar with an Inter Command fixture between the Fleet Team and the Fleet Air Arm, kickoff is at 1800 on Wednesday 20th May, the match is at the Sultan Sports complex so entry is only open to MOD ID Holders and escorted guests.