50 NAVY NEWS, DECEMBER 2007
No longer
Join the
novices
rat race
MONTHS of preparation paid
IF THERE’S a new adventurous
off for some of the RN’s rookie
sport sweeping the nation, be
fi ghters with fi ve out of six
assured that it won’t be long
victories in the CS novice boxing
before the Senior Service
championships.
embraces it.
Team captain Mne Paul
The latest addition to that
‘Fergie’ Ferguson (RM Poole)
list is adventure racing – a
led from the front to defeat SAC
challenge of between one and
Todd (RAF) in the Class B 69kg
seven days, either non-stop or
category.
in stages, covering a number of
With a series of well-timed and
disciplines including running,
accurate shots, he racked up the
mountain biking, orienteering,
points to earn a decisive 18-2
kayaking, climbing, abseiling and
victory.
swimming.
Mne Liam ‘Naz’ Nazairpour
The appropriately-named Lt
(UKLF CSG) was next up and
Rich Wild (Fleet HQ) wants to
faced a tough challenge against
form teams for events in 2008,
a well-schooled Army opponent,
including the Rat Race urban
Pte Shearer.
race – three-strong teams run,
‘Naz’ pulled out all the stops
climb, mountain bike, abseil
with his finest fight to date. His
and kayak through the streets,
unorthodox style and speed
buildings, and waterways of a city.
posed immense problems for the
Not surprisingly it demands
soldier, who never settled. It was
a high level of fi tness, as well
a successful tactic as the Royal
as determination and, Lt Wild
earned a comfortable points
says, a good sense of humour
victory.
and willingness to enjoy the
Other RN champions on the
unexpected.
night were AB Jenkins (75kg),
Teams of three require both
NA(SE) Dave Harrison (60kg)
male and female members.
and Mne Joe Harvey (91kg).
Details from the offi cer on
The sole disappointment
93832 5141.
was the narrow defeat of Cpl
More information on this
Paul Ballinger (RM Poole) by
growing sport can be found at
the Army’s L/Cpl Sharman;
www.ratraceadventure.com and
encouragingly, however, this
www.sleepmonsters.co.uk
was Ballinger’s best fight of the
season.
“This was a brilliant night
for RN boxing. There were
● Capt Richard Moore RM beats PO(UW) Mickey Warriner (HMS St Albans) in the Pompey goal only for S/Lt Sean Trevethan (HMS
some outstanding personal
Collingwood) to stop the shot on the line. The Royals went on to win the nailbiter 6-5 Picture: Keith Woodland, HMS Collingwood
performances. It’s been a huge
boost to the team’s morale,” said
RN coach Sgt Graham Alderson.
Lacrosse
purposes
Royals grab the spoils
THE new lacrosse season A LAST-ditch winner in a thrilling
They had top keeper Lt Jamie Wells (CO Command motif on sports clothing (AROs
opened with the team facing off
Inter-Command indoor hockey
of HMS Archer), the evergreen LOM Gav please note).
against Exeter University in new
red, white and blue kit.
championships saw the green
Gettings and the absolutely splendid POMEA The competition was evenly contested.
Russ Garner in their ranks. Portsmouth with two wins, won the
The RN team immediately
berets snatch the title out of the All gave a great account of themselves despite competition with Lt Debra Vout top-scoring
got into the thick of the fight hands of Naval Air Command.
Scotland losing all four encounters. with fi ve goals. Help Mike enjoy
with S/Lts Chris Suckling and A titanic clash between the Royals and
Russ pipped newly-qualifi ed Coach Dave It was good to see Scotland in second place
Eadin Brown (RAF Cranwell) Portsmouth was a fitting finale to two days of
Beaudro into second place when the teams with four points where joint top scorers Surg
dominating in the face-off pulsating hockey at HMS Collingwood, writes
voted for the player of the tournament. Lt Cdr (D) Gillian Kemp and colleague DSA
more tee times
and managing the midfield. Lt Cdr Alan Walker, secretary RNHA.
The Royal Marines and Naval Air Command Claire Smart ‘drilled in’ fi ve goals each and
FORMER matelot Mike Mayo is
There were also commendable There was some success on the ‘pitch’ for
were due to represent the Senior Service at ‘injected’ some pace into the matches (that’s
carving out a name for himself in
performances from CS(P) Pompey who claimed the ladies’ title.
the six-team Inter-Services Inter-Command quite enough dental puns – Ed).
the world of golf – despite being
O’Connor and AB(Logs(Pers)) In the men’s decider, Portsmouth were 4-2
Tournament (ISICT) which was taking place Plymouth also had four points but a worse
registered blind.
Mike Marsden (Raleigh), the up at the break. With the scores tied at 5-5 and
as Navy News went to press. goal difference (despite a very fi t looking Vikki
The ex-mine warfare rating
latter bagging the Navy’s sole the clock running out, the green berets hit the
In the women’s competition, there were Donovan rolling back the years to score all
served in the RN between 1979
goal. back of the net through Surg Lt Dave Potter to
splendid efforts by Navy Hockey’s ‘Fab Four’: eight of Plymouth’s goals).
and 1989; his first ship was HMS
Lt James Edmondson (MCC not only break Portsmouth hearts but those of
new team manager WO Cathy Lodge (Foxhill) The closeness of the event was demonstrated
Soberton commanded by a Lt
Bahrain) was on the receiving NAC too, watching on the sidelines. for Plymouth; the frantically-busy PWO course when Naval Air, fi nishing in fourth place, beat
Cdr Jonathon Band who kindly
end of some rough tackles in It was a thrilling encounter and despite the instructor Lt Cdr Kay Lewis (Portsmouth); the overall winners Portsmouth in the fi nal
made him captain for the day
defence – after holding off some best efforts of rock-like goalkeeper PO Mickey Navy vice captain POAEA Georgina Patterson women’s match.
as the youngest member of the
marauding attackers he eventually Warriner in the Portsmouth net, Pompey were (Air); and RN team captain Lt Sam Imrie RN Hockey is grateful to the Manager of
ship’s company.
left the field injured. unable to keep out the various strikes from the (HMS Daring for Scotland). HMS Heron UPO for the ‘clear lower deck’ for
He lists Mickey Shone, ‘sea
AETs Karl Burns and Lewis green machine (four from Mne Tom Nicoll Their energy ensured all four command hockey of UPO personnel.
dad’ Alan ‘Bambie’ Bamber,
Davies (702 NAS) and Lt and one from Capt Richie Moore before the teams took part instead of an East vs West The Logistics Pers specialisation team
Chris Coulson and Tony Smith
Ed Adams (846 NAS) were doctor’s killer strike). encounter. is looking good for the Inter Specialisation
especially as old RN mates.
the ‘engine room’ of the side, Nicoll was the tournament’s top scorer with On the downside, the popularity of the competition next September.
Two decades later, Mike,
motoring up and down, turning nine goals, one ahead of NAC’s Mark Stanton Akrotiri 7s hockey in Cyprus the previous week Presentations were made by Commander
from Lesmahagow near Lanark,
defence into attack. (who only made two appearances). affected player availability and a number of key Alun Watts, Collingwood’s Executive Offi cer
was diagnosed with age-related
Particularly encouraging was Sgt Andy Crofts (Fleet HQ), the Royals’ players were unavoidably absent. – fi ttingly a member of the establishment’s
macular degeneration, losing the
the fact that six of the nine RN captain, so often the unsung hero, had much to Several new players emerged for each team hockey team.
central vision in both his eyes.
players had never picked up a do with his side’s four wins out of four. – and some will undoubtedly go on to play for ■ Players looking to hang up their boots at the
Mike was a keen golfer before
lacrosse stick before. He is a quiet man doing a top job usually in the RN one day. end of their careers should think again.
being diagnosed.
The team is looking for fresh defence, occasionally up front – a bit of a ‘ninja’ For others, representing the Command at The ladies are forming a veterans’ team
Post-diagnosis he was
blood from both sexes of all ages in Royal Marines speak. this level may prove to be the pinnacle of their for the over 35s for serving or ex-serving
introduced to the sport of blind
and abilities. Details from Lt Dan Spare a thought for Scotland, who were hockey career. Either way there is surely a case personnel.
golf – something he has proved to
Weil at RN Lacrosse on Navy up there with the big boys for much of the for a return to the award of Command Colours Details from Lt Debra Vout on 0785 486
be rather good at (he plays off a
Star or navy@bathexiles.com. competition. – or at the very least an entitlement to wear the 3339 or Julie Voss on 0798 099 3405.
handicap of 13).
This year Mike has added
Chris is toast of Elba
six titles to his name, he was
runner-up in Clydesdale Sports
Council’s personality of the year
contest, and he has represented
Scotland against the auld enemy.
Next year he intends to raise
WHERE once Napoleon was 10,000ft at times), followed by his game even further, aiming to
exiled, CPO(EW) Chris Vellacott an equally-demanding 26-mile play in the world championships
sweated and panted as he run (pictured left). and British Open (both in
earned a podium fi nish in the The senior rate crossed the Ireland), the British Blind
Elba ironman race. line in 12h 23m – a good 90 Masters – the largest such event
Chris, a 45-year-old ‘desk minutes down on his usual in the world – in Wolverhampton,
pilot’ (that’s what the note from ironman time, proof of just how and the traditional Scotland
his CO says) at HMS Agrippa in diffi cult conditions in Elba were. vs England match, as well as
Naples, came home 60th overall Meanwhile, on the opposite Scottish blind golf tournaments.
and third in his age group side of the Atlantic, LAET All of which costs money. The
in the sweltering heat of the Nathan Gosling (849 NAS) was former matelot is ably supported
Mediterranean island. the fastest European in the by the RBL and St Dunstan’s,
This was the sixth time Chris Duathlon World Championships, but the golfer reckons appearing
had run an ironman – a swim staged in Richmond. in next year’s tournaments will
and bike race topped off by a More than 500 competitors devour around £3,500.
marathon – but his fi rst beyond from across the globe converged Beyond Mike’s travel and
the shores of this sceptred isle. on Virginia for the event – a six- competition fees, he also has to
The Elba Ironman saw mile run, 25-mile cycle ride and support the expenses of his guide/
professional ironmen plus Italy’s another three-mile run. caddy (pictured above with Mike)
fi nest competing in a fi eld more The leading hand turned out who gives up his time for free.
than 170 strong. for the GB squad in the race, If any former shipmates feel
First there was a 2½-mile coming sixth overall in his age like supporting Mike’s golf
swim in the Med, followed by group – the highest-placed they can e-mail mikemayo@
an excruciatingly hilly 112- European competitor. Overall, highlander.wanadoo.co.uk or
mile cycle ride (climbing up to he was placed 36th. phone 01555 893253.
050_NN_Dec.indd 1 21/11/07 12:16:03
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52