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42 NAVY NEWS, JULY 2008
Spring box
It’s big and it’s pink
success
marina Continued from back page
the referee to disqualify him and
give the win to Thompson.
Going into the fi nal bout the
PUT together a team of
the boat down to the bare spinnaker, hoisted the gib, and every ear straining to hear the
big boys stepped into the ring to
fi ve trainee naval offi cers
necessities and kitting her out dropped the spinnaker whilst gun.
decide who won the team match.
who have never sailed
with all the best kit we brought Darren sneaked a jib in for us Finally, we were off and
PO Todd won the match for
with us. The atmosphere on the to slide past the Turks for an due to strong teamwork and
the warship by putting on a
with each other before, pontoon was electric; everyone ‘all weight out’ sprint to the constant vigilance, both inside
near perfect display of boxing
give them three hours’
was buzzing with thoughts of fi nishing line. and outside the boat, we won
to stop Collingwood’s AB Scott
training on a different
the forthcoming races subtly The fi nal race of the day and the two races of the day. We
in the second, sending the 400
class of vessel from
hiding the tension of focussed Polominia was full of tension still needed one more race.
spectators wild.
minds. and desperate determination It was not to be, but that had
what they will be racing
Meanwhile, the RN ladies
The fi rst day saw three races. which paid off as we slipped nothing to do with the team’s
boxing team faced their toughest
in and send them to the
We became intimately aware ahead of both the Turks and efforts.
test yet as they crossed the
World Naval Academy
of what we had to do at which UAE. Midday on the fourth day
North Sea to take part in the
Championships in
precise time and how exactly to Day three opened with the came and went, then 1pm.
prestigious Maj Box Tournament
manoeuvre our weight onboard: knowledge that three victories We knew the committee boat
Italy and what can you
in Stockholm.
quickly and forcefully when would guarantee a win overall – would not start a race after
With over 120 female
expect?
tacking in strong winds; ever so not an impossible task. 2pm. 1.30pm and a number
competitors – from novice to
Join the khru
Well, if the team is hand
gently when running downwind With every race we grew in of boats began heading back
international – the team of four
picked then silverware is not an
so as not to upset the carefully confi dence, ability and sheer towards the harbour. We were
navy ladies faced some of the
option, it is an expectation, and
balanced spinnaker. This fi rst grit and determination. resolute; we would stay until
strongest opponents yet in this
at Sultan
fun is spelled W I N, writes Lt
day was judgment day: who do We beat them all once; we the committee boat had gone;
multi-nations clash, writes Lt Lucy
Jonathan Bannister (BRNC).
we have to beat to win? would do it again. Every day besides, UAE and Turkey were
Abel, RNBA.
We chose last year’s
The Turks, United Arab we got out on to the water still out.
AB Aimee Kelly (HMS
SAILORS from HMS Sultan
helmsman S/Lt Darren Roach,
Emirates and Brazilians seemed soon after 9am but did not start 1.55pm and the committee
Collingwood), the team’s only
have been trying their hand at a
sail-trimmer S/Lt Max Wilmot,
to be the team to beat. racing until after midday. boat picked up its anchor. We
junior competitor, reached the
growing martial art: muay Thai.
mast-man ‘Guns’ S/Lt Mark
The fi rst race of day The local climate sees the believed there to be enough
semi-fi nals and faced a Swedish
One of the top teachers (or
White, spinnaker-man Mid Luke
two fi nished UAE, wind swing from off-land to sea wind – it would have suited us
opponent.
khru) Gary Gregory has been
Perrett and lightweight ‘ferret’
TUR, GBR, then it breezes only in the afternoon. but, as every mariner knows,
Using her long range Kelly
sharing his knowledge of the sport
Mid Ivana Burnett.
was UAE, GBR, Today, we did not start until Mother Nature has the last say.
kept her rival at bay for much
– better known as Thai boxing
Flying out to compete for
TUR. 2pm due to three recalls on And so we came third this
of the fi ght, enjoying the upper
– to growing numbers at the
the Trophy of the Italian Naval
On the last the start line. Everyone had year, sailing proudly in under
hand throughout but the judges
Gosport establishment.
Academy in Livorno (Leghorn),
mark before something to play for, everyone our bright pink spinnaker. Next
favoured the local girl and Kelly
From one student and one
only two of the team had ever
the mad dash was tense and the start line year we will retrieve our gold I
lost by a split decision.
instructor, the sport has now
sailed a J-24 before.
past the was manic: boats just am sure: self-confi dence is the
AB Emily Locke (HMS
grown to 20 regular Thai boxers
After two days of fi tness
committee centimetres from each key.
Collingwood) faced a far tougher
from Sultan and also HMS
training and the opening
boat we other but calmly aware The team collected their
test in her semi-fi nal against a
Collingwood training regularly
ceremony, we wanted nothing
jibbed of the situation; boats silverware in front of a crowd
strong stocky Swede.
under Gary’s stewardship.
more than to be out on the
with the metres from each of 1,000 people, where the
Unfazed, Locke began
They also practise the older
water, getting the feel of our
other with shouts in third-place trophy was handed
confi dently and did not allow her
form of Thai boxing, muay boran.
assigned J-24, Polominia.
many languages to skipper, Darren Roach, by
opponent to dominate the fi ght.
“I have been training in Muay
As soon as we could we were
rising on the now the naval academy’s admiral,
With experience on her side
Thai for the last 2½ years and
down on the jetty, stripping
strong breeze; Cristiano Bettini.
the local fi ghter again managed to
started out with no background edge the decision on a majority,
in any martial arts or fi ghting but in only her second bout,
skill,” explained PO(MEA) Stuart Locke rightly walked away
Sharp. pleased with her performance.
“The fi tness is great and with LET(WE) Claire Teeling
a varied fi tness work out you can (HMS Cumberland) reached the
take to your own level whether fi nals, an excellent achievement
it is a gentle workout, or an given that she boxed two weight
extremely intensive session. categories above her natural
“I have also developed a great fi ghting weight.
self awareness in how effective A nervous start led to her
the body is and the level to which opponent gaining the upper hand
it can be taken. The club isn’t early on, but once she realised
just about teaching self defence that she had the skill advantage,
or how to fi ght; it is a chance to Teeling took control of the fi ght
learn an ancient battlefi eld art in the second and third round.
form and its history.” Unfortunately her slow start
Now muay Thai is established stayed with the judges and she
in Gosport, Gary (pictured in had to settle for a silver medal.
action above) is looking to set up Lt Lucy Abel (HMS Sultan),
similar camps at other RN bases. having comfortably won against
More details from him at her Finnish opponent in the
thehanumancamp@hotmail. semi-fi nal, faced old rival and
co.uk local heroine Tatiana Obradovic
in the fi nal.
Grade A result
A fast and furious bout ensued
as Abel maintained unrelenting
pressure on the Swede.
She landed heavy blows as
from B team
High hoops dashed
Obradovic held relentlessly
without warning. A frustrating
fi ght led the local judges to again
ALTHOUGH once again suffering from a Hannah Byers (854 NAS) and Logs(CS) Nedra award the decision to the local
greater turnover of players than the other Daniel (Raleigh) – speaks volumes for how far boxer and Abel had to settle for
FOR the fi rst time in 11 years the balanced contest as the doubles
Services, preparations for this year’s Inter- a team can come in this sport in such a short silver on this occasion.
men’s RN tennis team won the Inter- matches began.
Service basketball championships in space of time. RN ladies coach LPT Stuart
Services ‘B’ championships. Much rested on the pairing of
Grantham went pretty well for the RN with an Despite losing to the RAF 36-52 and the O’Connor was nevertheless
After three full weekends of Adrian and Simon, who had never
even mix of victories or close-run defeats. Army 47-72, a lot of the positives here can be delighted with all of the
coaching and preparation over the partnered each other before.
With most games taking place ‘on the road’ put down to the combined efforts of coach Cpl performances: “I couldn’t have
preceding two months a squad of fi ve The other duo were PO Andy
at schools, colleges and universities across Marty Page (RM Poole) and manager/assistant asked for anything more from
RN and RM personnel was selected Ellaway and Mne Mike Ward, who
the South West, the connections made coach PO Jayne Ashley (Collingwood). the team. Two silver medals
by the team manager, C/Sgt Liam had only been paired for the fi rst
with communities throughout the week will On paper – and given recent results – is a tremendous achievement
Devine. time the previous weekend but were
potentially bear fruit in terms of recruiting at the Senior squad stood the best chance of given the team’s relative lack of
Last year’s event had seen the RN nevertheless the strongest combination
some stage in the future as a clear interest in winning their category at the Inter Services, experience and this tournament
beaten narrowly into second place by for the No.2 pair.
the Service and sport was generated. but in reality lacked the necessary skill sets, has provided an ideal platform
the RAF. This year the result was even RN fortunes did not look good
Setting off for Grantham with a great deal sharpness and fi tness to do the job when it from which we can prepare for
closer: the dark blue and light blue initially, with Andy and Mike losing
of optimism, organisational diffi culties and an came to the crunch.
the ABA fi nals in June.”
won an equal number of rubbers but 2-1 to the Army; this seemed to swing
underestimation of the progress made by the Having conjured up minor miracles in the
the RN claimed victory by securing a things in the RAF’s favour, however
RAF and Army in recent months resulted in past, head coach Mick Byrne was unable to
total of one set more than the RAF. the light blue No.1 doubles team
losses at all levels. shuffl e the pack for the right formula against Rugby stars
Day one saw L/Cpl Adrian ‘Oz’ lost (surprisingly) to the Army again,
The U23 side opened their account by either the RAF or the eventual easy winners
Talbot and Mid Simon Mayell play two leaving the RN and RAF equal fi rst.
competing against a well-drilled but smaller the Army.
matches each in the singles. Adrian, a Adrian and Simon won their fi rst
RAF squad and lost 51-82. Lacking sharpness Losing to the RAF 51-72 and Army 56-100, help wounded
player of immense talent, won both his match against their RAF opponents
and know-how to grind out the win that their in truth the other two Services were well out
rubbers fairly convincingly; apart from with some aplomb to give the RN the
season’s effort deserved, their reward for this of reach by half time in each game; it will take
ENGLAND rugby legends
suffering from a severe bout of cramp overall lead for the fi rst time, but this
fi rst defeat was an even harder game against greater collective commitment to reverse the
Phil de Glanville and Lawrence
at match point in his second match it was not to last long as Andy and Mike
an Army side – the eventual winners – who current trend of defeats.
Dallaglio will be managing two
was very much routine business for lost their second match, this time
boasted two dominant Great Britain junior That said, AET Kelli Wise (Sultan) did
unique teams in aid of the Help
him. versus the RAF.
internationals. extremely well having dragged himself from
for Heroes campaign.
Simon in the other singles matches After some serious nail biting and
The U23s eventually lost 60-114 although his sickbed.
The duo will be in charge
found his introduction to this level mathematics it became apparent
Mne Dale Solf (CHF Yeovilton), who led from In Mne ‘Oz’ Labbate (FPGRM) and AET
of a Heroes XV to take on
of tennis a bit daunting at fi rst. After that if Adrian and Simon prevailed
the front, caught the eye in particular, boding Danny McLeod (RAF Wittering), ET(ME) John
an International Select XV
overcoming this – and much to his against the Army (the fi nal match of
well for his future as he now moves up to the Enniful (Ark Royal) the Navy also unearthed
(managed by Welsh favourites
credit – he ground out a win in the the tournament) the RN would win
senior squad. some new talent; POWEA ‘Jack’ Paxton (Kent)
Ieuan Evans and Scott Gibbs) on
fi rst game in three sets in a 2½-hour overall. The pairing of these two was
For the second year running the ladies were made a step up to the seniors and fi nally
the hallowed turf of Twickenham
match against his Army opponent. very effective; they gelled from the
the surprise package. LET(ME)s Blair Charles and Myron Campbell
on September 20.
A similar routine was to follow in his start and both held their serve. They
Drawn together at the last moment and (Sultan) fully justifi ed selection for the
The match is part of the Help
next match against the RAF – again, a also broke their opposition’s serve at
suffering injuries along the way, the spirit, Combined Service squad that will prepare for
for Heroes appeal for Headley
very close-fought duel seeing Simon the right moment and thereby won in
sound organisation and coaching skill forged the SHAPE International tournament in late
Court, the military rehabilation
put up a great fi ght but eventually straight sets.
an understanding that again saw the team November.
centre.
losing 6-3 in the fi nal set. So, with arguably a much stronger
compete for everything. A sad note upon which to bow out for Mick
Ticket prices range from
The scores at the end of the fi rst squad than in previous years, the
Despite going down to strong opposition, Byrne, who has done so much to galvanize
£50 for a family to £20 for
day score saw the Army on no rubbers RN team eventually prevailed; the
the fact that the RN ladies were once again the whole squad over the past six years, but
adults and £10 for children.
and the RAF and RN sharing the lead challenge is now to preserve suffi cient
able to nominate three players – AB(WS(CIS)) a positive plan for the future of RNMBA has
They are available from www.
on three apiece. depth in the squad to secure a follow-
Izzy Molyneux-Jacobs (HMS Exeter), Lt been established.
ticketmaster.co.uk or 0844
Day two continued as a fi nely- on victory next year and beyond. 8472492.
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