Police and Regiment rugby team beat Royal Navy

Regiment soldiers and police officers took on the Royal Navy in a sports event steeped in tradition at the weekend.

And a joint police/Regiment team narrowly beat the Senior Service in a close game of rugby 10s – coming out 9-8 winners.

Leading Seaman Barrie Chambers, the physical training instructor on HMS Argyll, which visited the island over the weekend, said: “It’s been good. We got beaten, but it’s sport, it’s just taking part.

“This is my first time in Bermuda and it’s been great – it’s hot, but very friendly people.”

The games, held at Police Field at Prospect, echo the Commodore’s Cup events of yesteryear, where teams from all three services played a series of sports to win the trophy.

Superintendent Sean Field-Lament, who refereed the games, which also saw teams compete at football, said: “This is a long-standing tradition. It’s nice to see the Regiment and police doing these social events and we’re showing the crew of the Argyll some good Bermudian hospitality as well.”

In addition to Saturday’s sports, the sailors also played golf against a police team, were entertained with a barbecue and beach sports at Admiralty House on Sunday and also got the chance to visit the Paget Island Outward Bound course and try their hands at the high ropes.

Able Bodied Seaman Terry Elliott said: “It’s been great – Bermuda is expensive, but everything’s been good.”

Regiment Adjutant Major Ben Beasley added: “This is one of the best elements of working in a uniformed service. Sport is very important, especially inter-services events.

“It’s important for keeping fit and teaches teamwork, so it’s good for all the services involved.”

The Argyll steamed out of Bermuda on Monday, headed back to its home port of Devonport, near Plymouth.

The Bermuda Regiment is looking for volunteers for a variety of roles. A Regiment career offers recruits opportunities to travel, acquire skills useful in civilian life, test themselves to their limits and competitive rates of pay. For more information, call 238-1045 or visit www.bermudaregiment.bm .