Fylde RFC is proud to host a fairly unique occasion at its famous Woodlands Memorial Ground, the first ever visit by the Royal Navy’s Veterans team, the Mariners, who take on His Majesty’s Prison Service XV on Wednesday, 13th March (ko 14.30). Free entry, everyone welcome!
Guy Pallett, the Mariners’ Team Manager, said: “We are the RNRU over 35’s who play teams around the country in preparation for our Inter Service campaign beginning in April against the RAF Vultures at Devonport Services RFC and concludes on the 3rd May against the Army Masters at Richmond RFC.
“This season for far has given us mixed results. We are at the building stage, getting to see players old and new. This game against the Prison Service returns to our structured season. The last time we met the Mariners were victors but due to the Pandemic and fixture classes it has been a few years since we last played.
“Both teams choose from players around the country, ours are mainly from the Base Ports, Portsmouth and Plymouth, and Air Stations, RNAS Culdrose and RNAS Yeovilton.
“This is the first time the Mariners have played at Fylde RFC. Players to watch out for include Paul Saberton, Steve Hillman and Lloyd John.”
HMPS RFC consists of staff that work within His Majesty’s Prisons in England and Wales.
Team Manager Ian Vandersluys said: “We are an open team who don’t benefit from the time given off to represent our service that our colleagues in the other services seem to enjoy, so our team is a mixture of varying abilities and levels.
All are extremely proud to represent our service at a time when operationally we are extremely stretched, all players and managers and coaches must use their annual leave entitlement to play representative rugby.
We play up to 1 game a month against the service teams Army, Navy and RAF with games against English Fire Brigade scheduled in as well.
Covid seemed to take the wind out of our sails a bit when we had built a strong team who were putting together some impressive results against some good teams and we are currently in a period of transition re-building a strong nucleus of players and coaches to get back the foundation of a strong heritage of Prison Service rugby.
Our annual fixture against the Royal Navy Mariners is always keenly contested and we are extremely proud and honoured to be able to host The Navy at The Woodlands.
The RN Rugby Union have recently honoured Guy Pallett for his great service to RN rugby.
“Utterly dependable, trusted and respected across the RNRU family, POAET Guy Pallett has been instrumental over the past 6 years, consistently providing a platform for success in ensuring that the Mariners are at their very best preparedness. Without his unwavering support the team would have struggled, not only in the preparation of the fixtures – through the difficult period of COVID19 and the subsequent return to play – but also in the corralling of the squad, the constant endeavour to find younger ‘blood’, liaison with Commanding Officer’s, budgeting, provision of clean kit, food, facilities and training camps – all in the face of reduced player numbers, T&S scrutineers and in addition to his very busy day job.
Much of what 
the Team Manager and ‘Kit-Man’ does is unseen, and therefore taken for granted, yet, without exception, Guy continues to provide everything that allows the team to take to the field and play unhindered, all without complaint and in his usual unflappable manner.
An ex-Mariner and former team captain, winning the IS on his first attempt in 2015, he assumed the role as TM with very limited notice, rapidly assimilating the task in hand; he immediately set about his voluntary ToRs with limited assistance, delivering a high-quality service that has seen the Mariners flourish in recent years. It is this selfless commitment and can-do attitude that, under significant timing, financial and personnel pressures, he continually ensured the Mariners were in the right place, at the right time, all in good order.
Guy is the ‘beating heart’ of the Mariners’ operation, having played, managed, and led, his unique relationship and sense of humour underpin the team ethos. The consistency of success he brings in delivering every time, especially in the face of challenges, his leadership and management acumen, accomplishment with people, and ability to make things happen will be missed. He truly epitomises what the Mariners stand for and the team cohesion and spirit.”