Ben Priddey set to become the 4th Navy player to reach the 30 cap milestone - tieing him in 3rd spot with Gaz Evans on the all time list.
A selection of latest stories that have been published on the Royal Navy Rugby Union website or the History of Navy Rugby by Alligin Photography website.
Ben Priddey lifts the Inter Services trophy as Royal Navy captain in 2016.
Historical Editorial from the Extensive Archives of Alligin Photography
"Born in Truro and educated at Camborne High School, Ben's potential was first identified playing against the RN back in 2005. Currently playing club rugby for Redruth RFC he has represented Cornwall at all levels from Youth upwards. A typical uncompromising Cornish front row forward, Ben has made an instant impact since joining the squad."
This was how Ben was introduced in the 2007 RAF v RN match day programme when selected as hooker in a front row who were all winning their first caps. It was to be a try scoring debut for the 22 year old. 13 representative seasons later he is still going strong and will hopefully win his 30th cap whn the Royal Navy play the Royal AIr Force at the Twickenham Stoop next Friday, 5th April.
A roller coaster journey in the famous blue jersey of the Royal Navy; but a player who has earned his place at the History of Navy Rugby's top table after 13 years of Senior XV rugby - and still going strong.
From his 1st cap in 2007, to being dropped in 2008, forcing his way back in to the Army match squad in 2010, lifing the IS trophy as skipper in 2016 to leading the Royal Navy onto the Twickenham turf for the 100th match in 2017; Ben's Navy Rugby representative journey has been colourful, full of passion and humour, commited to the cause and based on a playing style that showcases no little skill. Below is predominantly a pictorial tribute but when written his chapter in the History of Navy Rugby will, I feel sure, be one of the best reads in the long and distinguished traditions of the Union.
If you speak to Ben he probably will say he should already have 32 caps and should be approaching 33. However he wasn't selected in the 2008 season and started the 2010 season as 3rd choice hooker missing out on a cap in the Navy's record score against the Air Force in the opening game of the 2010 Inter Services. As the coach who chose not to select him we may agree to differ on who was right or wrong but what cannot be denied is that when Ben brings his concentrated 'A' game to the field he ranks amongst the best of those fortunate enough to have worn the Navy jersey.
However I still hold the view that his 'A' game was not on show when he chose to play too loose and think he could excute chip and chases from the wing!
Though not the biggest of hookers Ben has proved himself over the years as a very strong scrummager and has bettered many a bigger opponent in the tight. That said according to the records he was 19 stone on debut; he remarkably shed 4 stone in the 3 weeks before the Army game (and lost 2 inches of height) - though I think this is more a testimony to the accuracy of match programmes in years gone by!
However though his set piece is sound when thinking about Ben's game two images always come to mind. 1st his role as kingpin in driving mauls, from which he has scored so many tries for the Navy; and second his ability to get his hands on the ball in space and shows his remarkable turn of speed.
For me the defining point of Ben's career occured in the 2010 Inter Service winning season. He started the season as third choice hooker behind Gaz Evans (30 caps) and Jan Laity (9 caps). The plan from January had alway been that provided fitness was proved Jan was going to start at Twickenham. For the RAF game Gaz started and Jan was on the bench, Ben was left on the sideline. After the match he was in the changing room as the players celebrated in his Number 1s, part of the squad but not fully part of the occasion. His support of the team in the lead up to that RAF game had been superb and he backed it up with a performance against Plymouth Albion, the following week, that showscased all that was good about his game. Having lost Marc Owen, the starting tight head to injury, there was a need to change the front row and it was Ben's attitude in support of the side preparing for the RAF and his performance against Albion that earned him a place on the bench. In what proved to be the closest of wins, breaking the longest men's winning run in Inter Service history, his energy coming off the bench was a key component of the victory and of course he was the scorer of the fist Navy try that day. The image below as he prepares to throw, caually chatting with the assitant ref (Andy Watson) I think encapsulates when Ben is playing his best. He has the ability to be relaxed (but not over relaxed) and still be accurate with his play and an energetic, powerful all court player. The last image is taken from the Twickenham changing room where Ben is rightfully without his blazer!
When Ben was made captain in 2015 he became the 60th captain of the Royal Navy Rugby Union's men team. And in 2016 he became only the 18th captain to secure an Inter Service title. However that title should not mask a captaincy period which overall proved to be a poor period for results. In his first cap game as captain, at US Portsmouth against RCMN, the French recorded their first win on UK soil in the series 'Le Crunch'. A couple of weeks later the team travelled to RAF Halton and produced an opening 20 minute as good as any rugby I have seen from a Navy side, only to let the game slip from their grasp and finish in a draw, a result which was to prove enough to crown the RAF Inter Service winners.
The following year saw Ben lead a heroic defencive display against the RAF , at Burnaby Rd, and the narrow 9-8 victory proved enough, along with a draw against the Army to secure the title. However in his 4 years has captain he was not to taste victory against either the French or the Army and on three occasions found his team at the bottom of the table. His captaincy, like the whole of his representative career, had been a roller coaster journey of remarkable highs between a number of lows.
However it should not be his captaincy that defines his legacy, rather his battling qualities as a player whose skill and desire have brought so much joy to those of us who are confined to the touchline.
Never a player to shirk from confrontation Ben has always put his body on the line when wearing the Royal Navy jersey.
A player of huge energy Ben played the game with with vision, pace and no little power with ball in hand. (And in later years, most of the time with his tongue sticking out - as so many photographs bare witness).
But perhaps as the final word it is important to recognise one of Ben's greatest achievements.
In 2011 I had the honour to present Ben with the cossack Sword, an award voted on by his fellow team mates, and in sport that remains the greatest endorsement of your qualities and contribution to the team.
The Cossack Sward was presented to the Royal Navy Rugby Union by former player and selector, Leigh Merrick and first awarded in 2000. The sword is for "Ground Gained and Held" and awarded at the end of each season to the player, from the Royal Navy Senior XV, whose performances over the course of the season best meet the battling qualities invoked by the heritage of the "Cossack Warrior"
Ben was the 12th recipient of the award and is the only hooker to have won the sword. It was a fitting tribute to a player who will always be another of those larger than life characters who have been so much part of the History of Navy Rugby.
I look forward to raising a glass to his achievement when he wins his 30th cap and may be capturing an image or two. Congratulations and thank you.
Geraint
Ben Priddey
Royal Navy Senior XV
Debut 11th April 2007 v RAF
Last match 20th Mar 2019 v RCMN
29 Caps - Army 2007,09,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18
RAF 2007,09,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18
RCMN 2011,13,14,15,16,17,18,19
Captain 2015-2018
12 tries in capped matches - 6 v Army, 4 v RAF, 2 v RCMN
2014 scored a hat trick of tries against the Army
DoB: 19 May 1985 - Playing weight 100-105Kg Height 175cm
Former Aircraft Handler now Physical Trainer
Image Credits:
2007 - Paul Raymond Photography
2010 - Royal Navy Rugby Union
2011 - LA(Phot) Allen - Crown Copyright
All other images for Alligin Photography - Geraint Ashton Jones, Lee Crabb, Nick Flexman, Andrew Fosker, Neil Kennedy
History is about people not about dates and data. The History of Navy Rugby website remains dedicated to bringing you the stories behind the players, officals and administrators that made the Union what it is today. The views are those of Alligin Photography alone. We remain proudly unofficial.
