Paul Colley, Director of Rugby, pulled together a Chichester based select side, named the Praetorian Guard, to round off what has been a fantastic first season in National League rugby against the might of the Royal Navy on Wednesday night at HMS Temeraire, home of Royal Navy Rugby Union.

The challenge was huge with the Royal Navy at the end of a 3 month rugby training camp focussed on preparing their squad for the biggest amateur game in the world - Army v Navy at Twickenham, on 9th May, in front of a crowd of 88,000. Chichester were given the honour of being their last opponents and faced the daunting task of playing pretty much the Royal Navy’s first choice line-up.

The Praetorian Guard were provided with special white and red kit for the match as a memento for the squad of 24, which contained 5 guest players.

The Navy, playing in blue, came out of the blocks hard and applied early pressure but as was to prove a theme throughout the night the Guard put in big tackles stemming the tide; one massive tackle from Tom Belcher set the standard as the Royal Navy attacker spilled the ball such was the force. The Navy looked very well organised and the Guard really had to up the intensity to break up the home team’s rhythm. Ben Polhill led from the front and was everywhere. However, one Guard missed tackle on the 10 and the blues were away scoring through the middle. 7 - 0. Scott Barlow galvanised the forwards with some huge carries backed up an explosive carry down the blind side from Andy Gray, releasing the flyer Maslen who scorched away. Only a very good scrambling defence halted the attack deep in Navy territory. With good front foot ball the backs looked ever more threatening with Robson cutting some great lines and Skinner showing his class, with excellent angles, causing havoc through the middle. Polhill was always on hand to win the ball back. Then came a pivotal moment with Polhill speared up and out of a maul. The subsequent yellow to the Navy player didn’t calm the Guard’s anger and although taking the simple 3 points things started to simmer. 7 - 3. The white and red were really in the ascendency and piling pressure on the Navy line. The home side were well organised in defence and fly half Marsh decided to take a neat drop goal to get some reward for the excellent play. 7 - 6. The Praetorian Guard were going toe to toe with their illustrious counter parts and dominating the second period of the half. Huge tight head Veltom thundered onto the ball only to be chopped by a no arm tackle and the Navy received their second yellow. The White and Red machine pounced with a great catch and drive they rumbled forward for industrious hooker Joe Shopland to surge across the try line. Marsh hit a fantastic wide out conversion. 7 - 13. Nick Shopland entered the fray as Veltom had to leave the field with a nasty cut to the head. However, the Royal Navy now upped the tempo and with a little lack of concentration exploited a gap and with quick hands they were away. A penalty against the Guard was calmly slotted to bring the score to 10 - 13 and with only minutes left in the half the Navy moved the ball wide for the left wing to canter in. Conversion missed.

Half time Royal Navy Senior XV 15 v 13 Praetorian Guard

An enthralling half with the home side looking very dangerous but the Praetorian Guard causing the Royal Navy all sorts of problems with their pace and intensity.

The second half perhaps lacked some of the fizz of the first half but tenacious defence by the white and reds with big Chris Johnson now on at 8, knocking players back with real ferocity. The Guard backline crackled with fire and Skinner and Rhodes both made excellent breaks outside of Marsh who opened up on more than one occasion. The Royal Navy, no doubt with some strong words from their coaches, looked more settled and were solid on their own scrum and lineout and slowly started to play the phases. The Navy nine, who was excellent, sniped close to the break down drawing in defenders with the home 10 also playing well and releasing his strong centres. The visitors began to ring the changes but fought on well. With a bit more control, and the Guard’s menacing winger Robson off the field, the Navy opened up a space and two missed tackles later scored a nice try. Converted. 22 - 13. However, roared on by a large and vocal contingent from Chichester the away side rallied strongly. Maslen was away again as the Guard really upped the tempo with Anscombe whipping out very quick ball. Inside one and outside another the try looked on but the Royal Navy were very well organised with the last gasp tackles closing down the quick man in the corner. Young hooker 19 yr old Kieran Richter now on hit his man in the lineout and the white and reds were pilling on the pressure. The Navy changed a few of their pack but were now creaking in the set piece as the game entered its last 5 minutes. The Guard sensed they could take the game and attacked relentlessly opening up the space. Unfortunately, with a try looking inevitable another off the ball incident with a Chi player under 4 Navy players convinced the referee to blow up early.

Full time Royal Navy Senior XV 22 v 13 Praetorian Guard

Ben Polhill (Captain) “I think they were surprised by us today and we really felt the game was turning our way at the end - it’s a great honour to play these guys. We knew if we gave them time they would wreak havoc.”

Paul Colley (Director of Rugby) “I was very proud of our team tonight - it’s been a long hard season but to a man everyone stood up to be counted and for the neutral it was a helluva game with outstanding pace, skill and intensity. We gave them a real test but they showed that when they get their phases right what a good side they are. Chichester wishes the Royal Navy team all the best in their huge match on the 9th of May.”

Squad: 1. Tom Belcher, 2. Joe Shopland, 3. Phil Veltom, 4. Jon Lindsay, 5. Scott Barlow, 6. Phil Dickin, 7. Ben Polhill (capt), 8. Andy Gray, 9. Henry Anscombe, 10. Alex Marsh, 11. Temi Okenla, 12. Ben Robson, 13. Matt Skinner, 14. Jack Malsen, 15. Matt Rhodes, 16. Matt Corrigan, 17. Kieran Richter, 18. Nick Shopland, 19. Chris Johnson, 20. Pete Meachin, 21. Ed Bowden, 22. Tom Polhill, 23. Tom Jackson, 24. Danny Kirkpatrick