First national police final for Force rugby team in 45 years

9 April 2025

Nottinghamshire Police Rugby have reached a first national police final in 45 years after a hard-fought semi-final win in Police Sport UK’s national rugby shield. 

In a match at Upton-upon-Severn Rugby Club in Worcester on Wednesday 19 March, the team overcame Devon and Cornwall Police by a score of 40-26.

They will now go on to the tournament final against Thames Valley Police, which will be played up north at Sale Rugby Club this month (April).

Former Fed rep Steff Griffiths, a key part of the team, shared his delight at the result: “I’m absolutely thrilled we are through to the final – it’s massive for us, to be honest, and we already can’t wait for it.

“Devon and Cornwall gave us a really tough test, and we were really pleased we managed to come out on top in a very close match.

“After we had gone ahead quite comfortably in the first half, Devon and Cornwall came back stronger in the second half, and with 30 seconds to go, they had momentum on their side having got the score back to 33-26.

“But not only did we hold them off, we scored a try and a conversion to take the game away from them.

Hard work

“It was a great performance, worthy of a semi-final. Hopefully, we can produce more of the same – or even better – going forward.”

The team’s success is made all the more impressive by the fact a rugby scene has been rebuilt in Nottinghamshire Police from complete dormancy in the last two years – efforts which have been led by Steff himself.

“I think our run in the tournament is a reflection of all the hard work that has been put into the team since we began our new era,” he added.

“It has meant we are making so much progress already – we know how each other play, everyone knows their own role on and off the pitch, and morale is excellent.

“Acknowledgement must also go to the Force, and the provision in place for discretionary leave to be allowed for officers involved in national competitions across any sport, which all this wouldn’t have been possible without.

“Our journey from starting back up again to this point is a great advert for the togetherness in the Force.”

Rugby final

Turning his attention to the upcoming final, Steff says it will be an ‘amazing’ honour to represent Nottinghamshire Police in a national police rugby final for the first time since 1980, when a previous iteration of the team played in the Police Athletics Association Cup.

The team have already faced opponents Thames Valley in the group stage of this season’s rugby shield, as well as the police outfits of the West Midlands, Essex and Kent, before advancing to the semi-final stage.

The match will feature as part of a wider day of Police Sport UK finals at Sale Rugby Club on Wednesday 23 April, with kick-off set for 3pm and free entry available to all visitors.

Former Fed rep Steff Griffiths carries into a tackle.

You can catch further details and build-up as the big day approaches over on the team’s Instagram page: @nottspolicerugby.

“We did beat Thames Valley back in February in another competitive game, but we know that counts for nothing in the final.

“We’ll need to be at our best on what will be a very special occasion, and we’re going to give it everything we have. On behalf of the whole squad and staff, any support on the day will be much appreciated.”

Steff ended by reminding Federation members that the team is always open to new players, with anyone interested in joining or finding out more information able to contact him via email at steffan.griffiths@notts.police.uk or through the Force’s sports and social club.

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