46 NAVY NEWS, MAY 2008
● The RN on the charge – again – during the drubbing of the RAF
Picture: LA(Phot) Caroline Davies, FRPU East
Dark blue rampant
THE 2008 Inter-Services Rugby Union championships got under way
at Burnaby Road with one of the biggest defeats infl icted by the RN on
its foe in light blue.
It took a little while for the RN 1st XV to settle, but then: bang. After
ten minutes Will Pilkington (CNR) opened the scoring when he cut a
clean angle to score by the posts.
Four minutes later Andy Vance (MASU) was at the end of a crisp
backs’ move to squeeze into the right hand corner, soon followed on the
opposite wing by Josh Drauniniu’s (CTCRM) well-timed pass to put
Greg Barden (RM Poole) through for an easy run in to the goal line.
With Navy skipper Dave Pascoe (RFANSU) converting all three tries,
the Navy were 21-0 to the good with only 18 minutes played.
The Navy never underestimate their opponents in light blue – and this
year was to be no exception.
However, turned over possession allowed Navy lock Marsh Cormack
(845 Sqn) to fi nd Jamie Caruana (HMS Monmouth) who released Josh
Drauniniu into space for a race to the corner to score the Navy’s fourth
try (unconverted).
Again the RAF came back and following a succession of penalties close
to its line, the Navy found itself down to 14 men after a collapsed maul.
With the advantage of the extra man, the RAF managed to drive over
the RN line – although it appeared to the largely partisan crowd that
● Nothing’s going to stop me now... A Royal powers for the line during the Wigan Bowl at CTCRM Picture: LA(Phot) Andy Hibberd, CTCRM
back row Les Dennis (HMS Nelson) had held up the score.
With the conversion missed, the Navy went into half time with a
comfortable 26-5 lead.
A quick penalty following the restart by Pascoe extended the Navy’s
lead before the RAF again punished the Navy for being a man down.
Following a fi ve-metre scrum, the RAF exploited the lack of back row
cover and squeezed over for their second try, this time converted, to
42 too strong for CHF
bring the score to 29-12 with 35 minutes to go. Would the RAF stage a
dramatic comeback?
The answer was an emphatic ‘no’. With the RN back to full strength,
FIVE sides competed
having within there team several ground being given by either side team who had the slope and the
the RAF’s defence was soon in disarray.
for the honour of lifting
old and bold players of the likes – evidenced by the score; 42 Cdo elements with them in the first
With 13 minutes of the second half gone, Andy Vance was once again the Wigan Bowl as
of WO2 Chris Richard, recently edged out as eventual winners period.
returned from the US. by 8-6. When they turned around
set loose down the right wing, only to be tackled a metre short. With the
CTCRM hosted the Chris showed that he has lost Northwood’s final game against 42 Cdo upped their game and
ball recycled, Greg Barden was again on hand to literally fall over the line
for the score: 34-12.
tenth RM Rugby League
none of his line-breaking power; 24 Regt showed the determination showed that the fighting units still
Three minutes later Vance was causing the light blues problems but Championships.
it is just the pace and passing of the new boys as they held the have the edge in fitness, winning
this time the inside ball found the ever-present Les Dennis who put Tom 42 Cdo, CTCRM itself,
that lets him down nowadays. The Chivenor team to 0-0. the tenth RMRL Championship
CTC team held the 24 Regt team The final game of the pool stage by 16 points to nil.
O’Keeffe over for a well-worked try, marking his Inter Services debut in Commando Helicopter Force
to a 6-6 draw. saw CTCRM beat CHF 8-6. The Wigan bowl was presented
style. (CHF), 24 Regiment (RE)
With teams playing ten minutes And so to the finals. The four to the captain of the 42 Cdo
With the game now all but won, the play became a little loose, though and, for the first time, the RM
each way they needed to get matches each team had played squad, L/Cpl Pete Greene, by
nonetheless still absorbing. The RAF kept their heads up and continued detachment from Joint Service
off to a good start to hold the had taken their toll and bruised CTCRM RSM Mark Wicks.
to look for opportunities to attack from every angle. Unit Northwood locked horns on
advantage. and battered bodies took to the Pete also picked up the Billy
Greg Barden bagged his third try (converted) to make it 46-12. He the Devonshire turf.
There was some great defensive field for one more game. Boston Trophy for the player of
was shortly followed over the line by Josh Drauniniu (53-12)... and then The championships starter was
play from all teams; this was The Plate Final was contested the championship.
Barden bagged his fourth. the newly-named 24 Regt RE
particularly evident in the game between 24 Regt and CTCRM. Again the Championship
The best was saved for last: try number five for Barden following some from Chivenor against CHF.
between CHF and 42 Cdo which The younger 24 Regt took the showed that there is a wealth of
outstanding play from new cap scrum half Wayne ‘Cowboy’ John (HMS
The Engineers looked a very
ended up as a no-score draw. game to the CTCRM side and talent in the Corps and supporting
Collingwood) and Rob Lloyd (42 Cdo RM) at fl y half; Rob enjoyed his
capable side and set the standard
CTCRM followed with a 10-6 only some stout defending from units which bodes well for the
best match to date in an RN shirt.
by beating a well-drilled CHF
victory over the Northwood team. the Lympstone lads kept the Army forthcoming season.
The enthusiastic crowd was jubilant at such a convincing win for the
team by 10-6.
42 Cdo had something to prove as boys out. The day also saw the
Navy, fi nal score RN 67-RAF 12.
Next up were the newbies from
the matched up against 24 Regt In the second half it was presentation of the RMRL first
Northwood against a formidable
and showed skill in both defence CTCRM turn to put the pressure life member to Mr Bill Bennett.
The ice men
42 Cdo who boasted several RM/
and attack, running out winners on the 24 Regt side. Bill, a former Royal Marine,
RN players of both codes.
by the biggest margin of the day, They were rewarded with three has been one of the Corps Rugby
The Northwood team was
20-0. tries, winning the game and the League most loyal supporters.
under pressure from the start and After two good games, plate by 14-0. He has travelled the length and
conceded two tries very quickly. Northwood faced an ever- During the pool stages 42 Cdo breath of the country to watch
returneth
This didn’t stop Northwood improving CHF and lost by 18-0. had drawn 0-0 with CHF. and support the team. Bill works
putting 42 Cdo under great The battle of the big two came But in the final the constantly- tirelessly in support of Corps RL
pressure with the final score being next as CTCRM grappled with improving 42 Cdo showed their and has attended most of the
10-8 to 42 Cdo. 42 Cdo. skill and defensive resolve by Championships over the past ten
ICE hockey team the Royal Navy Destroyers have picked up where CTCRM then made their entry It was a battle with little holding the powerful helicopter years.
they left off last season by winning their three games against service and
civilian opposition in April.
After a massively successful 2007 season when they were crowned the
HM Forces Champions, the RN players were keen to show everyone that
No defeats... but no trophy
they would be ready to defend their title at the forthcoming Inter-Service
Championships June 4-6 at Ice Sheffi eld.
RN team manager OM Kev Cave is confi dent his team will put
UNBEATEN and unbowed, the found POPT Lisa Farthing (HMS
up a strong defence of its hard-won 2007 trophy. He also expects the
RN Ladies only failed to clinch
Onside with Capt Paul
Raleigh) who volleyed a looping
recreational side to improve on their third place fi nish of the last two
the Inter-Services title on goal shot into the top left corner, giving
years.
difference – thanks to a last-ditch
Cunningham, RNFA
the Army keeper no chance.
“We are continuing to fi nd good players throughout the Fleet and
leveller from the Army. The second half followed the
Corps,” says Kev. “I’ve no doubt we have the quality and talent necessary
RN Women 4 RAF 3
same pattern but our failure to
to defeat the RAF and Army again this year at the representative level, and
convert chances proved to be our
seriously challenge for the Inter-Services Command Trophy as well.”
The women came into their fi rst
undoing when the Army equalised
The combined Tri-Service and Inter-Command Championships is
Inter-Services game in good
both teams, and the pattern was The Navy went searching for in the third minute of added time.
one of the largest ice hockey tournaments in the UK.
spirits after a training weekend in
repeated on 41 minutes when we the equaliser. On 62 minutes the Heartbreak for the Navy, who had
The competition attracts 12 Service teams from all three Forces: six
Lilleshall which unearthed a new
conceded a second sloppy goal. pressure led to a free kick from played the better football and had
from various RAF bases, four Army regimental teams and two RN sides;
striker in AB Sarah Mansfi eld,
This seemed to act as a catalyst the right, which Bavister delivered created the better chances.
over 150 players in all.
making her debut in this game.
for the RN who went straight up into the area. Hewitt controlled The defence had been strong
In addition, the best players from each Service are selected to represent
The team were also boosted by the
the other end and won a free kick the ball and fi red her second goal and committed, epitomised
their Forces for the main Tri-Service competition, won by the RN elite
release from their ships of LLogs
on the right. The ball was delivered of the game into the corner of the by NA(SE) Amy King (HMS
squad, the Kings, last year.
Lou Lee (HMS Exeter), AB Eddie
by Bavister and Edwards’ shot took net. Seahawk) who suffered an injury
The sport has grown substantially over the last three years and has
Edwards (HMS Kent) and ETWE
a defl ection to fi nd the bottom The next 20 minutes provided to her knee in the fi rst half but
reached a level where all three Services have been invited to compete in
Lisa Lee (HMS Portland).
corner: 2-2 at half time. chances at both ends, and some played on – and ended the evening
the 2009 European Services Championships in Switzerland, a challenge
The RN started well, putting
Both managers were clearly attractive football but as the clock on crutches.
all the RN players are looking forward to.
the RAF under pressure which led
unhappy as they went off for ticked on, the RN kept up the The fi nal ten minutes saw the
“We hope to make a strong showing,” says RNIHA Chairman Lt Cdr
to a corner after fi ve minutes. LPT
the half-time talk, with a ‘Fergie pressure and with two minutes to fi nal appearance of PO Ann Jones
Alain Bernard, “with some luck, and the support of unit COs, I’m pretty
Nat Bavister delivered towards hairdryer’ for the Navy and the
go another corner to the near post
in an RN shirt. The stalwart of
sure we can put out the best squad of all three Services and strongly
the front post, POAEM Mariesaa RAF women going back out on
was met by Edwards who rose to
Navy women’s football is retiring
represent the RN. Dryhurst fl icked the ball on to the pitch for extra drills. head the ball into the top corner after many years playing and
“The prospect of competing at that level has helped raise the standard LS Julie Hewitt, who managed to The pep talks seemed to work – a great goal which was worthy of running the squad, and it would
of play of all our players, and we are aware that we will be venturing into steer it into the net. and the second half was a different winning any game, and a fabulous have been a fi tting end to her
a completely different level of hockey on the continent.” The goal fi red up the RAF who game, with both teams sharper result for the RN ladies. career if the ladies could have held
The RN team continue to train at the Link Centre, Swindon, every started to pass the ball well and in the tackle and tighter in their ightfully
fortnight. Players serving elsewhere can attend training sessions hosted generated a couple of chances. passing. This led to a much better
RN Women 1 Army 1
out in injury time to r
claim their fi rst IS Cup.
by the other Services. It was no surprise when they contest, but after 54 minutes, The RN dominated this match This season also sees the
The team is also keen to recruit new players, of all standards and is equalised on 18 minutes following an RAF free kick was quickly but couldn’t break the deadlock retirement of another founder of
actively seeking senior rates and SNCOs to get involved. a mix-up in the RN defence. converted before the RN could until the 38th minute when LPT the RN(W), POPTI Mitch Bowen,
Further details are available on the team’s website www.rndestroyers. Indeed the fi rst half was prepare themselves. A very poor Nat Bavister delivered the ball who is hanging up her boots due
co.uk or by contacting Kev on cave903@hotmail.co.uk dominated by scrappy play from goal to give away. in from the left, and a clearance to injury.
046_NN_May.indd 1 21/4/08 10:37:23
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