Sportsmanship was very much on display on Wednesday, August 30, when HM Naval Base Clyde and Helensburgh Rugby Club met to compete for the Doug Wylie Memorial Trophy.
It was the second year the sides met for the fixture in memory of much respected Royal Navy Physical Trainer Lieutenant Doug Wylie who sadly passed away in 2015.
The game at Helensburgh Rugby Club was hotly contested and entertaining throughout with the home side dominating the first half.
Able Seaman Lee Benzie, who was playing for Helensburgh on this occasion, used his considerable speed to score a brace of tries, and it was clear that the Burgh had the advantage, winning most of the set pieces and giving the visitors little chance of possession.
However, Marine ‘Jez’ Parsons displayed some sublime skills, scoring a magnificent solo try for the Base team. Going in at the break the score was 32-15 to the Helensburgh side.
The start of the second half saw the Naval Base players gather momentum, coming out stronger of the two sides. Within minutes the deficit was reduced as Clyde crossed the line twice in quick succession.
Despite a couple of injuries mid-way through the second half, in the final third Helensburgh found their second wind. But a composed Clyde managed to hold their ground and even had the final say scoring the remaining try of the match.
The final whistle came too early for the visitors to stage a comeback however, with the final score HM Naval Base Clyde 32-45 to Helensburgh Rugby Club.
After the match, Chief Petty Officer Physical Trainer Rob Greetham reminisced briefly about Doug Wylie, who, at one time had played for both HM Naval Base Clyde and Helensburgh Rugby Club.
He also took the opportunity to thank individuals from both sides who were key to ensuring the fixture went ahead, in particular Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Taff Thomas, CPO Paddy Mardell, Petty Officer Physical Trainer Dizzy Dawson and Helensburgh Rugby Club for facilitating the fixture and providing refreshments.
Following the trophy presentation there was also a post-match raffle which raised £154 for “Over the Wall”, a UK charity providing residential summer camps for children and their families coping with serious illnesses and conditions.
Lieutenant Doug Wylie’s long and illustrious 35 year career with the Royal Navy included no less than 41 drafts both in the UK and abroad. He served at HM Naval Base Clyde initially as a Leading Physical Trainer, returning later in his career as an officer.
A well-known figure at Clyde, the Naval Base named their new state-of-the-art weights suite after him as a lasting memorial.
