46 NAVY NEWS, MARCH 2008
The team of teams
Camp time
NAVY cyclists clinched the most
on the ice
coveted title in Forces’ sport
– team of the year.
The riders of the Royal Navy &
NOT all the RN’s winter sports
Royal Marines Cycling Association
efforts were concentrated on
(RNRMCA) from the South
the slopes of Les Menuires.
West and Portsmouth have won
Several Naval personnel
the coveted Combined Armed
– many of them novices – took
Services Team of the Year ‘gong’
up an offer from the Army to
for a series of results which blew
join them at their skeleton bob,
the competition away in 2007.
bobsleigh and luge ice camp
Not only have the Army and
in Calgary, Canada.
RAF struggled to keep pace with
Lt Cdr Gary Mills (HMS
the Senior Service cyclists, but the
Ocean) grappled with the two-
RN team has become one of the
man bob for the first time.
country’s top-ranked clubs.
“I wish I had discovered
It is in time trials – a race against
this sport 20 years ago,” he
the clock over a set distance – that
lamented.
the team truly excelled last year.
“There is no fairground ride
The success, believes CPO
like it. The feeling of trepidation
Sean Childs (HMS Raleigh), can
was massive on the first day,
be laid at two doors: dedication
but once I was down I just
and preparation.
wanted to do it again.”
“The preparations for the 2007
His shipmate Lt Cdr Mark
● Spokespeople... (l-r) Lt Steve Kelly, Bob Richards,
season were put in place as early as
C/Sgt Stuart Edwards and CPO Sean Childs
Campbell, a Sea King pilot, was
September 2006,” he explained.
a skeleton bob virgin.
“Major changes were made to throughout a very long and And talking of best all-rounders,
He soon found himself
the training camp, making it a demanding season. The results the RN team were the No.3
hurtling down the ice head-first
harder boot-like camp in the heart were amazing.” cycling side in the UK last year.
at speeds of up to 60mph.
of mid-Wales. Indeed they were: there were Individually, Sean was ranked “The first drive can only be
“Twenty eight riders committed more than 20 individual and ten 8th, Aran 23rd and C/Sgt Stuart described as terrifying,” he
to self-organised and back-to- team wins on the roads in 2007. Edwards (42 Cdo) 58th. said.
basics in-house coaching including The RN took the ten-mile and “This was quite remarkable – we “It felt like you have less
32 hrs and 500-miles plus of 25-mile Inter-Service titles, while were competing against specially- control than flying – once you
strength, stamina and endurance CPO Aran Stanton (HMNB formed cycle racing teams with a are on the track you can’t
training. Portsmouth) took the ‘best all- single aim: winning.” stop; you can slow a helicopter
“Physically fi tter and mentally rounder’ title for consistent The riders are now preparing down.
stronger, the riders were performances throughout 2007, for the 2008 season. At least they “I enjoyed it – it has been a
● Mne Greg Barden (RM Poole) chases after AB Silvenusi Buinamasi
(HMS Cumberland) during a training session at the new home of
more committed than ever to narrowly pipping his Raleigh don’t have too much to live up brilliant experience, but skiing
RNRU training
achieving the best possible results comrade to the award. to... is the winter sport for me.”
Offi cial duties for
HMS Collingwood
The taming of
HMS COLLINGWOOD is now the offi cial home of RN rugby union
training.
With immediate effect all teams; Senior XV, Women, U23s and Vets
will use the Fareham establishment to prepare for matches.
Collingwood has just opened new pitches, under fl oodlights, and with
the continued investment in its fi rst-class training facilities is honoured
the screws
to become the formal home of RN rugby.
“Navy rugby union has enjoyed a long association with Collingwood,
which itself remains a major force in Service rugby,” said Lt Cdr Geraint
WE’LL begin our round-
The Police applied the early
Ashton Jones, RNRU Director of Rugby.
up of the past month’s
Onside with Capt Paul
pressure, and deservedly went
“The move of the RNRU representative sides to Collingwood is ahead after only fi ve minutes, but
viewed as a natural step and reinforces our shared commitment to rugby
football action with an
Cunningham, RNFA
the goal seemed to wake the Navy
excellence.” impressive comeback by up and they started to control the
Elsewhere, a buffet reception was held on board the Fleet fl agship
the Seniors against HM
fl ow of the game, with plenty of
HMS Ark Royal to thank RNRU sponsors for their continued support
Prison Service:
possession.
to the game. The half ended with the Navy
The event was extremely well attended and saw Rolls Royce, VT,
RN Seniors 4 Prison Service 3
Young on 68 minutes, gave the Brookes and ET(ME) Kerr were
on top, even though they were a
Thales, Flagship, KooGa, Volkswagen – Peter Cooper, Aramark, QinetiQ
match a respectable scoreline. worthy of note and received
THIS was a tough encounter
goal down. On 49 minutes, good
and Charles Trywitt in attendance.
comment from a number of
against the National Prison Service
RN U21 1 England Schools FA 3 RN possession ended when LPT
Guests were given a presentation on the programme leading up to the
professional scouts in attendance,
at Holmes Park, the Leicester FA
Nat Bavister (HMS Sultan) drove
Inter-Services fi xtures by Lt Cdr Ashton Jones.
This match was played at Lilleshall
but without doubt the man of the
County Ground.
He was in buoyant mood declaring that he was “very confi dent about
against a development squad
match award must go to ET(ME)
the ball into the top right corner.
The squad was again depleted
the programme and preparations by all the Royal Navy teams in the lead
vying for a place in the fi nal 18
Kenealy as keeper for maintaining
The equaliser clearly gave the
by unavailability and injuries,
up to the Inter-Service competition”.
for the forthcoming schools home
the respectability of the Service
women confi dence, and as the
meaning a complete new RN back
The highlight of the evening was the announcement of the RNRU
international tournament.
with a tremendous performance.
game moved into the fi nal fi ve
four with Mne Ryan Rule making
mins, they were rewarded with a
captains for the Senior XV and Women for 2008.
The opposition were primarily
his debut at right back.
RN U21 0 Newport County Youth winner from AB Edwards (HMS
PO Dave Pascoe (RFANSU) and CPO Paula Bennett-Smith (FOST)
made up of players who had either
The Prison Service started
3 Kent).
were chosen to lead their respective teams, based on their track records
been released by professional clubs
the brighter and took the lead
as players and their obvious leadership ability.
or were on the verge of entering Once again the U21 team looked to
■ THIS year’s home Inter-Service
after only six minutes, which was
Lt Cdr Ashton Jones highlighted the fact that both players were widely
contract discussions. pit their wits against a very capable
match for the senior squad is
doubled eight minutes later with a
respected by their peers and each set high standards – both as players
A lively opening exchange saw team, with youth international
against the RAF on Wednesday
blistering left foot shot from fully
and team members. However he was quick to add that “being selected as
the game settle into a pattern with players amongst their ranks.
March 12, kick-off at 7.30pm.
25 yards.
captain is no guarantee of selection for the IS matches.
the RN team absorbing pressure Unfortunately an early goal was
The match is due to be played
However, straight from the kick-
“Competition for places is very tough this year and the captains will
from a very technical opposition. conceded through a penalty, but
at Fratton Park but if this is not
off LAET Russ Hardwell exposed
earn their places alongside their team-mates.”
An early injury to AET Tillsley, the RN rallied and began to build
made available we will be playing
the opposition left back and then
The RN take on the RAF on Wednesday April 16 in Portsmouth. The
playing in the centre of defence, on possession with some intelligent
at Victory Stadium, Burnaby Road.
delivered a great cross into the box
Senior XV plays at the United Services Ground, Burnaby Road, kick-off
saw team captain ET(ME) Danny play from the midfi eld trio of Kerr,
Entry to whichever venue will be
that was only cleared to the feet of
7pm. This match will be preceded by RN Women v RAF Women (2pm)
Kerr drop into that position Mitchell and Grindrod attempting
free. The U23 match versus the
C/Sgt Ritchie Hope, who scored a
and RN Veterans v RAF Veterans (4pm).
alongside WEA Jamie Ritchie and to fi nd the runs of WEA O’Neill,
Army will be on Tuesday 4 March
fi ne 20-yard goal.
The ‘big one’, the annual Army-Navy clash at Twickenham is on
an enforced change in the centre ET(ME) Tobble and ET(WE)
at 7pm at Victory Stadium.
Saturday May 3 2008, kick-off 3pm. The match will be preceded by the
The Senior Service dominated of the team allowed AB Jamie Eddy.
And finally, on far-flung shores...
CS U23s taking on England Students U23s at mid-day.
most of the rest of the fi rst half but Grindrod to stake his claim for the However a momentary lapse of
As part of the RNFA’s ‘defence
Tickets for both matches are available by telephoning the Royal
the equaliser only came very early central midfi eld role. concentration saw Newport regain
diplomacy’ policy and the FA’s
Navy ticket hotline on 0870 444 6633 or booking online at www.
in the second half, again through ET(ME) Kenealy (St Albans) possession in a dangerous position
overseas initiatives, members of
navyrugbyunion.co.uk.
Hardwell’s pace down the wing playing in goal for the RN was and go on to score their second.
the ship’s football team and other
Early in the same day, the RN Women take on their Army counterparts
and an excellent cross for LPT busy throughout and effectively Once again ET(ME) Kenealy
members of HMS Nottingham’s
and the RN Veterans clash with the Army Veterans; both matches will be
Steve Young to pass it in from kept the RN in the game with an had a fi ne performance in goal
ships company visited orphanages
played at Kneller Hall, Twickenham (next to the main stadium), kicking
close range. outstanding performance. and although the RN team really
in Fortaleza and Rio in Brazil.
off at 10.30am on adjacent pitches.
On 68 minutes, Young hit a Eventually pressure told when applied pressure in the second
Together the sailors carried out
superb left foot shot across the the ESFA went on to score their half and played some of their best
general DIY in an effort to make
keeper and into the bottom right fi rst goal. football of the season, they failed
living conditions for the children
A surprise in Bavaria
corner of the net to give the RN With the second goal following to turn possession into goals and
a little more bearable, and football
a deserved lead, and he got his in close succession, the RN inevitably the opposition scored
matches were played against local
hat trick 15 minutes later having management team adopted a fresh a third goal during a counter-
teams, watched by children from
rounded the keeper. pattern of play and attacked ESFA attack.
the orphanages.
THIS month sees the start of the RN’s annual adventurous training
A late consolation goal for the with an ambitious 4-3-3 formation Some promising performances
The ship’s clubz LPT Kev
exercise, Bavarian Surprise.
gaolers could not deny the RN a that eventually paid off with the overall in the build up to the Inter-
Green also took the opportunity
Weekly packages of outdoor challenges are on offer (cunningly
deserved victory. RN scoring a goal a shot by AET Service Championships with both
to run basic coaching sessions,
in Bavaria, hence the name) from the beginning of March until the
RN Seniors 2 Civil Service 0
Brookes defl ecting in off WEA
LMA Keating (Drake) and LMEA
each followed by a ten-minute fun
end of September.
Ritchie.
Toms (Sultan) performing well as
match, where the children were
Activities include: climbing, canoeing, kayaking, Klettersteiging
For this match in London, the Unfortunately the Navy were
Full backs and AB Thompson
presented with England kits and
(mountaineering using fixed cables, stemples, ladders and
squad was pleased to welcome back unable to turn pressure into more
(York) making a good impression
balls; an additional bag of goodies
bridges), mountain biking and skiing.
both the RN captain Cpl Graham goals and the ESFA broke away to
in the centre of midfi eld.
was taken to the orphanage for
This year no financial contribution is expected from sailors/
Carr and vice captain POET(WE) score a third goal and effectively those who were unable to attend
Royal Marines wanting to go to southern Germany and 50 places
Phil Archbold, while L/Cpl Kunle wrap up the fi xture. A valuable
RN Women 2 Portsmouth Police
the coaching sessions.
are available each week.
Atiba made his debut. experience for the U21 team,
1
The training and kick-abouts
Priority will be given to members of the RN/RM Sports Lottery,
The RN dominated most playing against opposition who LOM Julie Hewitt (HMS will long be remembered by the
however.
of the match and should have although younger were technically Northumberland) and LReg ship’s footballers who only wished
More details are available from PO(PT) Matthews at Nelson
scored more, but goals from superior and undoubtedly at the Mich Garrett (HMS Richmond) they had the ball skills of the
gym on 9380 24392.
Mne Christian Courtney half- top of their game, hence their made welcome returns to the Brazilian kids.
way through the fi rst half, and a involvement with a national team. squad, and AB Jess Dorey (HMS More details at www.
penalty converted by LPT Steve Performances from both AET Collingwood) made her debut. royalnavyfa.com.
0046_NN_Mar.indd 146_NN_Mar.indd 1 119/2/08 18:45:079/2/08 18:45:07
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