Britannia Royal Naval College rugby team returned unbeaten from a tour of Canada, which saw them not concede a single point.
The squad of 32 travelled to Kingston and Toronto to take on the Royal Military College Canada (RMCC) and a team from the University of Guelph.
Despite being a well drilled side, BRNC proved too strong for the RMCC team, crossing the whitewash for the first time around 10 minutes into the game. The tries and points then started to come thick and fast with no rebuttal from the Canadian side. BRNC ended the game deserved winners 57-0.
Two days later in Kingston, BRNC took to the field again against the University of Guelph 1st XV, who proved to be much tougher opposition, especially in the forwards pack. Nevertheless the first score was to BRNC late in the first half and the team led 12-0 at half time.
BRNC continued in the same vein in the second half and, despite the snow, emerged from the game the victors at 27-0.
At the start of the tour BRNC RFC hosted a community rugby coaching session in the Kingston Sports Dome. Sixty high school students from the Kingston area attended an hour long coaching session and lots of fun was had by all.
The enthusiasm for rugby demonstrated by the high school students was great to see and all the touring members found the session to be enjoyable and inspiring.
The whole squad also took the opportunity to indulge in some extra-curricular activities.
A favourite was the trip from Toronto down to Niagara Falls. The town of Kingston was very warm and welcoming and the City of Toronto was a great place to simply go on a walkabout.
Many of the team went up to the top of the CNN tower which offered fantastic views of the city as well as visiting the world famous ‘Sports Bar & Grill’ with its absolutely huge screen.
BRNC RFC reinvigorated itself in September 2016 and is now under the leadership of Head Coach Lt Sean Hammond and POPT Sion Jenkins, team manager. Lt Andy Bass was the lead officer for the tour which was deemed a huge success overall.
The club would like to offer its immense thanks to the Britannia Association, the RNRU, the Sport Lottery, ESS, City Cruises, Mr Ian Woodhead, the College Welfare Fund, BRNC Wardroom Fund and the two College Squadron Funds for their financial support, without which this fantastic tour simply would not have happened.
