NAVY NEWS, JUNE 2009 47
Late blow Royals keep
KOs Joe
Nine too fi ne for students
THE RN entered teams in the men’s and The men’s competition involved sides from University from the word go.
cricket title
women’s competitions in this year’s Cheltenham all three Services, with the Army looking to With Johnny Platt taking over kicking duties
ROYAL Marine super
Rugby League 9s Festival and – after a long day retain the trophy after a narrow win over the and the pack on top form the students never
SIDES from the Royal
heavyweight Joe Harvey was the
in warm but windy conditions – the Brothers RN in last year’s fi nal. got a look in. Four converted tries and some
Marines, Portsmouth, Naval
sole representative fl ying the
triumphed over Gloucester University, writes On the other hand the Navy were out to great defence were enough to see the Brothers
Air and Plymouth Commands
RN fl ag at the Amateur Boxing
WO1 Keith Humpleby RNRL spokesman. seek revenge for that defeat and, with a mix of home by 24-0.
converged on Pompey for
Association’s quarter and semi-
The RNRL ladies – aka the ‘Wrenegades’ seasoned fi rst teamers and Academy players, A victory over the Army, another trophy for
the Inter-Command cricket
fi nals in Sheffi eld.
(we like it – Ed) – in only their second season the Brothers overcame their early-round the cabinet and automatic qualifi cation for
championships.
Despite having stepped up
put in creditable performances in their four opponents with ease before coming up against the Headingly Carnegie 9s in August was just
Plymouth were only able to
from heavyweight, he proved in
matches, beating the England Students in their the Army in the semi-fi nal. reward for a great day out in the Cotswolds.
fi eld a team of six, sadly, while
the preliminary rounds of the
fi nal group match by 16-12. The sides swapped tries early on but a The fi xture list for the rest of the season sees
Scotland withdrew before the
competition that he could still
Besides being a great team performance the successful Army conversion edged the soldiers all three RNRL teams preparing for this year’s
event.
pack a punch, stopping every
highlight of the match was a 70-metre try from ahead by two. A purple patch for the Brothers Inter-Services series in September.
The weather forecast was dull
one of his opponents within the
Fiesha Green. saw them touch down two unconverted tries, Highlights in June include: RM vs Paras in
with light drizzle, however the
distance.
Neither try nor performance were quite easing to a six-point lead. Despite a strong rally Bridgend on June 18 and a visit by the Brothers
fi rst day commenced on time
The quarter fi nal against
enough to move into the knock-out stage but from the Army, it was enough to get through to the Celtic Crusaders between June 19 and
with Portsmouth drawn against a
Parsons (Milton Keynes ABC)
the performance was a great encouragement to the fi nal. 21, including a curtain-raiser match against a
depleted Plymouth side and the
was no exception.
to the team and coaching staff of LPT Darren In contrast to the closely-fought semi, the Welsh select side. More details on 023 9272
Royal Marines against Naval Air.
With his opponent weighing
West and Steve Smallbone. RN side dominated the fi nal against Gloucester 7749.
On paper the Royals and
in over three stone heavier, the
Portsmouth looked to be the
marine could not afford to be
strongest teams and maybe it was
drawn into a brawl.
fortuitous that they had drawn
Clever boxing in the fi rst two
each other in the fi nal match of
rounds ensured that he racked up
the competition as both teams
the points with single shots and
made light work of disposing of
speedy footwork.
(Trans)global reach
Plymouth and Naval Air on the
Parsons was unable to cope
fi rst morning.
with the Royal’s speed of punch
FOR the fi rst time in more
It was anticipated that with
and movement and felt the toll in
only four teams, the competition
the fi nal round. Joe, sensing the
than a decade, the three
might be contained within one
fatigue of his opponent, upped his
Services will sail around the day, but the rain persuaded
work rate, throwing devastating
globe in a year-long yacht the captains of both the Royal
combinations and phases which race beginning in Portsmouth
Marines and Portsmouth teams
saw the referee intervene and stop next month.
to delay their clash until the
the bout for another victory by
Exercise Transglobe will pit the
second day.
knockout.
RN, RAF and Army against each
That was almost a fateful
With two fi ghts in two days
other in identical Challenge 67ft
decision as rain fell steadily
there was very little time for
yachts – Adventure, Discoverer
overnight and indeed delayed
celebration. Despite boxing his
and Challenger respectively – in
the start of play, but a game was
quarter fi nal after midnight, he
a 368-day, 13-leg odyssey from
possible with further delays.
had to prepare for the semi the
Portsmouth-South America-South
A slightly disappointing match
following evening.
Africa-Australasia-Caribbean-
was won easily by the Royal
This time he faced Isla
North America and back to
Marines by 92 runs to retain the
(Miguels), fresh after reaching the
Portsmouth.
Inter-Command trophy.
semi-fi nals by walkover. Lighter
Not since 1998 has there been
Throughout the competition
than his previous opponent, but
a round-the-world race involving
there were some very good
towering over Joe at 6ft 8in, the
all three Forces and while Service
performances with both bat
marine had to demonstrate his
pride will be at stake, organisers
and ball, including Lt Tim Burt
resourcefulness and ability to
say the key aim is to reward hard-
(Ports) 206 NO, Mne Alvin
adapt.
working personnel for their efforts
Pollard (RM) 102 and 73 NO,
Despite the reach disadvantage,
with this unique experience – and
Maj Cliff Dare (RM) 72, 46
Joe maintained his early lead and
to toughen them up for continued
NO and 3-15, AB Colin Lunsky
entered the fi nal round ten points
operations.
(Plymouth) 44 and 43, John
ahead.
● Three’s company... The trio of Transglobe yachts
More than 500 personnel from
Grasham (RM) 3-21 and 3-23.
But with only 15 seconds of
during a run-out in the Solent
Lt John Batley RN (NAC)
across the three Services are
the bout remaining and streets
Picture: LA(Phot) Owen King, FRPU East
was looking very comfortable in
taking part over the 13-leg race,
ahead on points, Joe walked on to
scoring 60 before he clipped a top
with RN participants aged from
a wild left hook which knocked
edge into his own helmet visor
19 to 48. On most legs, there will
him to the canvas. Whilst he made
Each leg will be scored with be a privilege going to sea with ocean,” he continued.
resulting in seven stitches being
be nine inexperienced and five
it to his feet well within the eight
points deducted for any damage some of the less experienced “I believe the Navy will gain
required over his right eye.
veteran sailors.
count, he sustained a large cut
to the boats. sailors; he’s one of the trained hugely from this. We need to go
A number of new names to
And on one unique stretch,
below his nose which forced the
“This is the most demanding crew accompanying rookies on back to values like commitment,
Navy cricket were unearthed and
referee to stop the contest.
between Antigua and Charleston,
form of adventurous training,” the final leg between Boston and challenges, discipline, leadership,
the occasion enabled grass-roots
Despite the disappointment,
men and women in the Forces
said Capt Nick Fletcher, the RN Portsmouth next summer. respect. Adventurous sailing in the
players to rub shoulders with
RN Boxing Coach Sgt Graham
injured in the line of duty or in
officer overseeing the Transglobe. “Many people sail all their lives ocean brings it out.”
more experienced players.
Alderson said Joe “proved
accidents will crew the yachts as
“We all have those ‘Why am I but never cross the Atlantic. It is Submarine marine engineer Lt
resourceful and adaptable, able
part of efforts to rehabilitate them
here?’ moments at sea. You cannot the pinnacle of ocean sailing. It is Cdr Adrian Wheal added: “Ocean
to change his style to outwit a
back to full fitness.
get off, you cannot walk away a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience, sailing is a wonderful place to
number of different opponents.
A physiotherapist at Headley
from your oppos. These are big, something which is a real build confidence – you cannot
Reservists
“He offered a boxing lesson to
Court suggested taking one or two
powerful yachts demanding a lot achievement. control the elements.
many spectators at the prestigious
people on one boat for one leg.
of effort. “The exercise is a ‘thank you’ to “Going to the front of the boat
ABA championship and was a
Transglobe bosses liked the idea
“One corporal said he was our boys and girls in the front line at sea, getting the sails in with
on target
true ambassador for the Royal
– but decided to expand it as part more frightened after one night – you’d pay perhaps £3,000 for waves trying to shove you over the
of the wider ‘Battle Back’ initiative at sea than during six months in the privilege to take part as a civvy. side, that’s challenging.”
HMS King Alfred’s rifl e team
Navy Boxing Team.”
across the Forces. Now around a Afghanistan. But it’s not just about sailing. It’s The exercise begins on July
are the top marksmen in ‘reserve
Meanwhile the RN boxing
dozen rehabilitating personnel will “So don’t think this is a holiday about team building, a spirit of 11 with the yachts mustering at
land’ after demonstrating their
team is preparing a number
go to sea on the three yachts. for our boys and girls – it’s a adventure.” Gunwharf before formally setting
prowess in Edinburgh.
of female fi ghters for the
The event is intended more tough business. But that’s why it’s Lt Ian Perryman hopes the off from Southsea Castle at 1pm.
The Portsmouth-based
this month’s national female
as adventurous training than a important. Grit, determination, global challenge will bring young A team from HMS Sultan will
reservists formed one of five
championship.
In all seven ladies will be
contest – although two legs are team spirit. They’re all important and junior leaders to the fore in crew the RN boat on the first leg
RNR teams taking part in the
representing the RN against
earmarked for race crews, the in the Armed Forces.” particular. to the Canaries. The boats are
International Skill at Arms
civilian counterparts, a range of
legendary Sydney-Hobart race Lt Cdr Shane Doran, project “Ninety per cent of critical due to return to the Solent 368
contest for NATO Reserve
ranks from lieutenant commander
at Christmas, and Antigua Race manager for capital ships at decisions are taken by junior days later.
Forces, staged over two days at
to able seaman and a range
Week next spring – but it’s hard Devonport and a member of ratings, junior NCOs. There is no You can find out more and
Redford.
of experience from novice to
to keep inter-Service rivalries in the RN team taking part in the better practice for making those follow progress at www.
PO Mark ‘Buck’ Taylor, LS
international.
check. Sydney-Hobart race, said it would decisions than out there on the exercisetransglobe.com
Matt Bundy and AB Chris Jones
picked up their weapons for the
Whale Island-based unit.
Not King Cole – but almost
The competition comprised
stances including the L85 service
rifle with SUSAT (optical sight),
L85 service rifle with iron sights
and a Browning 9mm pistol in
ANOTHER month, another grimace from strongman PO(PT) Sean a combat snap practice, as well
Cole. as a battlefield first-aid stance
Last month, he was trying to become Britain’s strongest man and command task, among other
(sadly, he wasn’t). disciplines.
This month, the senior rating from HMS Nelson could be found in Numerous advanced
Coventry at the British National Powerlifting Championships. marksmanship techniques were
To reach the nationals, Sean had to get through the Southern learned and employed by the
Counties’ qualifi er – which he did with a total lift of 512.5kg. King Alfred team (among them:
Six weeks of intensive training followed before the petty offi cer don’t leave a team mate stranded
lined up with 13 fellow powerlifters from across the UK in the 67.5kg on top of a 10ft wall during the
class. obstacle course section... it means
For the uninitiated, powerlifting is not weightlifting; the latter is a dropping a few points).
technical event made up of two lifts, the snatch and the clean-and- Despite strong opposition from
jerk, where the weight is lifted above the head. the Army, RAF and other RNR
Powerlifting is a test of pure unadulterated, brute strength and teams, the King Alfred shooters
comprises three lifts (‘full-power’): the squat, bench press and dead were ranked first among the UK
lift. Each competitor is allowed three attempts at each lift, the best marksmen.
lift in each discipline being added to their total; the lifter with the Aside from the gold medals,
highest total is the winner. particular highlights from the
The six weeks of training paid off. Sean lifted a massive 527.5kg weekend included a trip to
fi nishing off with a 240kg dead lift – breaking the previous military Edinburgh Castle for drinks and
world record lift total by 10kg. Beat Retreat in the Great Hall
It wasn’t quite enough to lift the gong, but it was enough to take following the competition.
Sean to second place behind eventual winner, world record holder The marksmen were treated
and England teammate Stuart Ford. to a gala meal of haggis and
And his performance once again earned Sean a place at the other Scottish ‘delicacies’, then
powerlifting World Championships, which this year are being held entertained by the buglers of the
in Milton Keynes. Light Infantry and the combined
You can fi nd out more about powerlifting/strongman from Sean on Pipes and Drums of the Scottish
9380 28667/023 9272 8667. Army.
047_NN_June.indd 1 19/5/09 18:06:42
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