NAVY NEWS, OCTOBER 2009 47
RNRU aim Navy Days
to hold hits hockey
on to cup
THE scene was set for improved
attendance at the revolutionary
Navy-wide mixed seven-a-side
THE RN hosts naval rugby
hockey event with up to two
union sides from around the
dozen teams earmarked to head
former Empire as it defends its
to Portsmouth.
Commonwealth Cup title this
But thanks to Navy Days
month.
which meant leave was cancelled
Teams from South Africa,
in Plymouth, around 14 teams
New Zealand and Australia
dropped out of the event.
will lock horns with the Senior
On the plus side about 100
Service over six days of fi rst-
commemorative medals were
rate rugby in Plymouth.
given out to members of the
All matches will be played
seven teams which contested one
in a league competition at
day of the envisaged three with
Plymouth Albion’s Brickfi elds
21 matches played on an ‘all play
ground with the RNZN and RAN
all basis’.
beginning proceedings at 4pm
The reduced event had the look
on October 6.
of an inter-branch event rather
At 7.15 the same day the
than inter specialisation.
Royal Navy and South Africa
Submarine stalwart
kick off their campaigns.
PO(Logs(SC)) Steve Parfi tt was
The second round of matches
unable to travel but produced a
takes place on October 9: RAN
team from Neptune – all Jack and
vs South Africa at 4pm; RN vs
Jenny Dusties – who played their
RNZN at 7.15pm.
hearts out.
The third and final round
The Naval Air Command team
of the competition occurs on
were still on tour in Holland when
October 12: RNZN vs South
the event began but they still
Africa, 2.30pm; RN vs RAN at
managed to get a team – complete
5.30pm.
Racing red white and blue (part 1)
with a pilot under training and an
As an added bonus, the best
observer and representatives of
players from all the navies will
most FAA branches.
form the Combined Navies
The Royal Marines have always
Barbarians to take on Devon
supported this event and Royal
and Cornwall on October 15 at SPECIALLY painted in Fly Navy 100 colours, the crowd have connections with the Fleet Air per lap, earning a 13th-place fi nish.
being Royal, they always come
6.30pm. this is Lt Cdr Mark Scott racing his Yamaha Arm and the Royal Navy.” Round four was also staged on Anglesey.
to win. A sprinkling of wives and
Tickets are available on the R1 in round four of the Wirral Hundred So far this year Mark has fi nished 18th, 15th Things went well in practice and the fi rst race
female guests made up for a lack
gate – £5 for adults, £3 for Motorcycle Club superbike competition. and 13th giving a total of four championship saw a 14th-place fi nish.
of female Bandies and Royal
under-18s and free for U16s. By day, Mark is Commanding Offi cer of 705 points. The second race ended on lap eight (of ten)
achieved what they set out to do:
The cup dates back to 1997 NAS – the helicopter training squadron based The fi rst round at Ty Plas race circuit on when Mark high-sided going into the notorious
fi rst place overall – no cups, just
when RNRU invited the RNZN at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire. Anglesey was an ideal opportunity to run the corkscrew bend before the start fi nish straight.
the same medals as everyone else,
to tour the UK. And by night (well, weekends actually but it bike for the fi rst time after being laid up for Not much damage to either bike or rider,
but once again, the marines have
The RAN rugby side also sounds better) he clambers on to his racer. the winter. so you’ll see the Fly Navy 100 Yamaha Racing
the bragging rights.
intended to tour the UK in the The bike has been re-sprayed in the Fly Navy The second race at Oulton Park was dry and Team back at Anglesey on October 3 and 4.
There was a big ‘thank-you’ to
same year, so it was decided to 100 livery for the 2009 season. sunny and despite a slipping clutch, the offi cer The last race of the season is back at Oulton
all the Warfare people who turned
hold a tri-navy tournament, to It may not necessarily have made a difference managed his fi rst points-scoring fi nish. Park in Cheshire on October 24-25... which
up: there were EWs in the shape
be held every three years. to results on the track... but it had made a Sadly in the trophy race later in the same day handily ties in with HMS Illustrious’ visit
of Lt Cdr Lee McEvoy and AB
During the 2003 tournament difference. the clutch failed completely, requiring a full to Liverpool for the end of Fly Navy 100
Lee Kadis (who broke a finger –
held in Auckland New Zealand, “Since the new Fly Navy paint scheme there clutch change before the third round back on celebrations (see page 7).
the weekend’s only casualty).
offi cials from the South African has been a lot more interest in the bike,” said Anglesey. Mark is also supporting the charity Shelter
Former CPO EW ‘Cokey’
Navy visited to determine if they Mark. With a new clutch Mark managed to knock Box, who have loaned him a tent for use in the
O’Kane, as a guest, submariner
could also join. “I was surprised to see how many people in one second off his lap time, averaging 71 mph paddock.
Gav Gettings, schoolie Giles
South Africa was invited to
Dunn, guest goalkeeper MEA
participate, bringing the total to
Racing red white and blue (part 2)
Singer, navigator Dee McKenna,
four navy teams, and the new
PWO Lt Cdr Sharky Ward, the
Commonwealth Cup, which
three HMs, Navy chairman
is sponsored by defence fi rm
Cdre Mark Darlington and his
Babcock, was born. BRAVING the UK’s fastest circuit – Thruxton
sons Josh (14) and Noah (12)
Throughout their stay, the – Brig Mike Hickson raced his Mallock Mk20
completed a splendid family-
visiting teams will be hosted once more for the RN Automobile Club.
orientated team.
by the RN: the South Africans A Classic Clubmans double header
Staking a strong claim for
will be staying at Dartmouth, (qualifying and race on the Saturday and
Man of the Tournament were Lt
the Kiwis at Raleigh and the another qualifying and race the following
Cdr Brian Sweeny, the ME team
Aussies at Drake. day) supported the International French and
organiser and HMS Sultan’s
More details at the website British truck racing annual meeting.
hockey offi cer, and former
commonwealthcup.webeden. Large crowds and some damp weather
lieutenant and Navy U23 boss,
co.uk on the Saturday saw 21 Classic Clubmans
now civilian instructor at Sultan,
line up on slicks for qualifying and Brig
Richard Croker.
Hoop-erstars
Hickson, averaging 105 mph, was pleased
with a solid seventh in a very competitive
field. Some close racing and a number
begin season
of good battles during the ten laps of the
PTIs peak of
race saw the brigadier retain his seventh
position.
INVITED to an open tournament
Having learned from his experiences perfection
in Cornwall, the Royal Navy and
on the Saturday and having made some
Marines Basketball Association’s
adjustments to his car overnight the
ROYAL Navy physical trainers
(RNMBA) season got off to the
brigadier managed to run significantly
from Portsmouth set a new
most impressive for many a year.
quicker in qualifying on the Sunday and was
record for the gruelling 24 Peaks
Building purposefully on
pleased to end up fifth on the grid.
Challenge in the Lake District.
the improvement seen in
The race that followed was a real battle,
The team from HMS Nelson
April’s close-run Inter-Service
with places changing hands on virtually
beat 15 other defence or nautical
tournament, the Senior squad,
every lap and cars running very close
teams from across the UK,
was strengthened by the return
together. Racing very closely with two other
climbing 24 peaks in 16 hours 23
to fi tness of Lt Berron Parker
cars the officer alternated between fourth
minutes – shaving more than two
(Whale Island) and a number
and sixth.
hours off the previous record set
of young players (notably Mnes
Brig Hickson finished in sixth, 0.6 secs
last year.
Thompson, Boden and Coyle).
behind the fifth-placed car with the car one
place down just 0.2 secs behind him.
Picture: PO Dutchy Holland, HMS York
The victorious quartet
The weekend saw two wins from comprised CPO Ronnie Scott
a three-game tournament with and LPTs Kev Green, Les Dennis
the Senior Service pitched against
Bickleigh young riders shine
and Matt Shortt.
tough opposition. LPT Carl Thorpe was forced
Following a hard session to retire through injury after
of initial training at RNAS climbing four peaks and the
Culdrose’s enviable sports team’s efforts were co-ordinated
facilities, a demanding fi rst game A TEAM of 20 riders and horses was won by AB Laura Mealing by safety driver LH Frankie
on Saturday saw the RNMBA from Bickleigh Saddle Club, and presented by Rear Admiral Powell.
recover from a ten-point defi cit accompanied by supporters and Simon Charlier. “We pushed our pace for the
in the third quarter to defeat family and friends, travelled the After a well-deserved barbecue duration with a maximum stop
Cornwall Cougars 68-64. long route from the South West to on the Saturday evening and of fi ve minutes every three hours
This was followed on Sunday compete at the RNRM equestrian another night under canvas the which also included a map check,
by a second victory over an Championships held at Sparsholt competition on Sunday continued water and food stop,” said Kev.
enhanced Cornwall side 79-69 College in Hampshire. at an increased pace. “We came up against teams
before a 90-77 defeat in the The Bickleigh riders competed The Bickleigh riders again who had competed in previous
fi nal game (just 30 minutes in all disciplines within the competed in all events, including races who were aware of most
after their last) against National competition against some of the the show jumping relay against grid references so had the edge in
League Division 2 outfi t Marjons best riders from not only the Royal the clock, entering fi ve teams who navigation.
Cannons. Navy and Royal Marines but also were all cheered along by a vocal “We found the whole challenge
An outstanding all-round team the Army and RAF. group of loyal supporters who had tough as we made it tough on
performance – coach Sgt Marty After the long journey and a travelled up for the weekend. ourselves by pushing the pace
Page (RM Poole) did not want night spent camping nearby to The club is based at Bickleigh hour after hour.
to single out any one individual their horses the Bickleigh riders Barracks, Plymouth, and “We didn’t expect to win or
for particular praise because performed excellently on the fi rst membership is open to all Service break the record but through
everyone played their part in what day of the competition, picking up personnel and their families. team work and cheerfulness in
was a hugely uplifting opener to a several rosettes including fi rst and Details on 01752 727038 adversity we overcame wind, rain
season that already looks bright second for the team event and the (mil 93788 7038) or www. and pain to win.”
Next up for the RNMBA is the ‘best young rider’ trophy which royalnavyequestrian.co.uk The event is on track to raise
Inter Command tournament at more than £90,000 for Seafarers
CTCRM on October 17-18.
● LPT Emma Phillips vaults over one of the jumps at Sparsholt
UK.
046-048_NN_Oct.indd 2 21/9/09 15:14:24
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