NAVY NEWS, DECEMBER 2009 47
Indoor
Picture: Tom Hurley
Windsurfers
fi reworks
Hayl’ storm
marina Continued from page 48
marina Continued from page 48
After that, a rejuvenated good performance throughout
Neptune pressed hard eventually the weekend. In a season which
scoring the equaliser. has seen him move up through
The match ended at 1-1, so it the UKWA rankings to the point
was over to the sand-based pitch where he is challenging for the
for penalty flicks. Formula National fl eet title, he
With five flicks each Neptune is now the Navy’s windsurfi ng
stepped up to have the first strike, champion. Gerry Northwood was
from here it was a battle of wits second and Steve Roberts, in his
with both keepers in determined fi rst Inter-Services and only the
mood. Drake’s keeper WO2 second time racing, was third.
‘Foz’ Foster pulled off a number In rather more benign
of saves to put his team in the conditions, a ten-strong RN team
driving seat. took part in the annual Highland
With two flicks still remaining, Spring HIHO 09 in and around
up stepped CPO Fraser to score the British Virgin Islands.
what was to prove the winning Now in its 25th year, the
flick putting Drake into the final. Highland Spring HIHO (Hook In
In the other semi final and Hang On) attracted a strong
BRNC put in an outstanding fl eet of over 50 windsurfers.
performance to beat Seahawk 2-0 The RN team competed in the
and booked an all-Devonshire largest HIHO fl eet, the Techno
final. class, racing their wndsurfers
Drake started the brighter, over long distances between
pushing Dartmouth back into and among the islands in the
their 23 for a considerable period.
FOR the fi rst time the RN mustered full singles and doubles. other crews around the course.
archipelago.
BRNC soaked up the pressure
crews in both the men’s and ladies’ quadruple The RN teams (the ladies are pictured above on Once he had got his breath back, team
The courses for two of the
and adjusted their strategy,
sculling event at the World Outdoor Rowing the home straight) took to the water in a brand captain Cdr Alan Grant said: “That was tough
races were over 20 nautical miles
beginning to play a good counter-
championships, staged over three days in new, state-of-the-art boat, built by Rushworth – a real test of attitude and determination. I
and one of the races – to Anegada
attacking style of hockey.
Plymouth Sound. Racing. am very proud of what the guys and girls have
– requires racers to put their faith
They took every opportunity
The competition drew more than 450 rowers Operational and training pressures meant achieved in such a short time.”
in the directors instructions, as
to break hard and fast, putting
from 18 nations – including a significant that, unlike virtually all other competitors who Next year, the World Championships will
the fi nish line is well over the
Drake under pressure.
number of former Olympians – racing in single, formed established crews, the RN squad was be held in Istanbul, and plans are already
horizon; about 12nms to be
Both keepers were brought into
double or coxed quadruple sculls around an only able to row together from RM Turnchapel being drawn up for RN crews to compete in a
precise and the racers are briefed
action on numerous occasions
eight-kilometre open water course in almost on a couple of occasions before the event, number of UK coastal regattas in preparation
to look for the “green cloud –
but remained resolute keeping
any weather condition. and most crew members had never rowed in for the event.
Anegada Island and the fi nish will
the opposition out.
The combination of wind and waves off conditions as wild as on fi nals day. Anyone interested in taking up coastal rowing
be under the cloud!”
The sides were deadlocked at
Plymouth meant conditions were right on the It was therefore an impressive result that should contact Cdr Grant at akgrantobe@
The RN team acquitted
half-time and frantic team talks
onlyw served to heighten the
very limits for quadruple sculls, and so severe both crews were placed 18th in their respective hotmail.com or Lt Cdr Suzannah Curtis at
themselves well. Steve Roberts
tension and determination of
that a reduced course had to be used by the ‘A’ fi nals, each having faced close battles with suzannah.curtis708@mod.uk
(current reigning Navy
Wavesailing champion) came in
both sides. fi rst in the RN team and fi rst in
The teams pushed on with
good-quality hockey being played
throughout the second period.
At the final whistle it remained
scoreless thanks to the heroic
efforts of both keepers meaning
No seasonal cheer
his class – Man Class (U35s).
Cdrs Wallis and Northwood
were third and fourth respectively
in the grand master class.
that the competition would be
decided on penalties.
BRNC won the toss and struck
THE fi rst competitive
Michelle Armer, had to be
first; their first flick was hard and
fi xture of the season Onside with Lt Cdr Neil
stretchered off the pitch with ankle
low, bringing off a determined
saw the RN U23s take
damage.
save by Drake’s keeper and as
After some restructuring and
in the match, this high standard
on a strong Cambridge
Horwood, RNFA
the introduction of Logs Amy
of keeping was matched by the
University side on a rain-
Trakos (HMS Neptune), the
Dartmouth shot-stopper.
lashed afternoon.
RN attempted to gain some
As Drake stepped up for their
The RN started brightly and
momentum again and for the
final flick the scores were level
with six debutants in the squad
on 29 minutes from the penalty Steve Johnson released Jim Smith next 25 minutes looked capable
at 3-3 and the captain had an
looked to take the initiative; a
spot with the Sussex centre whose powerful drive was well
of getting a foothold on the game.
opportunity to win the cup.
new central defensive partnership
forward brought down just inside apprehended by the police keeper
Salisbury, however, were having
With the tension mounting,
of Mne Scott Sampson (42 Cdo)
the penalty area. at the second attempt.
other ideas and easily dealt with
the flick was saved by the BRNC
The Navy’s best chances fell to In the 35th minute a poor
and AB Pannell (HMS Illustrious)
the vast majority of Navy attacks.
keeper, condemning everyone to
AB(WS) Palmer (Manchester), clearance from the RN keeper Jim
looked assured and composed.
The Navy’s defence now began
even more tension and another
who headed narrowly wide on Mullen fell at the feet of a police
AET Musemeki (HMS Heron)
to look solid, dealing with all the
five penalties.
34 minutes, and AB McGeady forward who volleyed into an
had the fi rst chance of the game
Salisbury attacking; Logs Naomi
In what proved to be the final
(Collingwood) who was through empty net to give the Police a 3–0
but lashed the ball over after
Marsh (HMS Endurance) again
five flicks, both keepers were
on goal only for the Sussex keeper lead at half time.
good work on the right from AET
performed well.
proving hard to beat with WO2
to save well at his feet on 41 There were four changes at half
Rayson (HMS Sultan); against
The RN came out for the second
‘Foz’ Foster coming out on top
minutes. time which seemed to spur the
with three outstanding saves in
the run of play, a long ball over
half buoyed by the improving
Just before half time, Sussex home side on.
the final batch of five taken by
the top of the RN defence saw
performance of the later stages
added a further goal from another With the wind now at their
Dartmouth, meaning a long-
AET Isaksen (HMS Sultan),
of the fi rst half while Salisbury
well-executed move down the left- backs they created lots of chances
overdue return to HMS Drake
outstripped by the Cambridge left
emerged with the knowledge that
hand side of the pitch. and put the police on the back foot.
for the cup.
winger who fi nished with aplomb
the Navy were going to be fi red up
During the second half the Steve Johnson saw a great shot go
past ETME Hillbourne (HMS
and that as they chased the game,
Navy never gave up trying to pull close before a great Lewsley run
Ark Royal) to leave the RN trailing
gaps would inevitably be exposed.
Net results
the score back and came close on into the penalty area saw him
by a single goal at half time.
Unfortunately for the Senior
a number of occasions, but just taken out. Penalty!
The second period started
Service, this is exactly what
failed to fi nd the back of the net. Captain for the night Steve
much the same as the fi rst, with
happened. A rushed pass went
at Yeovilton
AB McGeady again came close Rule saw his penalty saved but was
the RN team pressing forward and
directly to a Salisbury player who
on 72 minutes, shooting just over fortunate to collect the rebound
keeping the Cambridge side on the
from the edge of the box. and bundle the ball home, 3-1.
broke forward leaving a three-
back foot, but they were fi nding it
Sussex Youth experience Wayne Hodkinson was a
against-one situation on the edge
HMS Heron’s netball squad are increasingly diffi cult to unlock a
continued to show throughout the constant threat with his pace and
of the RN penalty area. There
celebrating their meteoric rise resolute Cambridge defence.
second half and by full time they created openings that the RN failed
was only going to be one outcome
Steve’s Grim
through the Yeovil and District More half chances were created,
had managed to score a further to convert. The home team were
and the Salisbury forward calmly
Summer Netball League with usually through the creativity
three goals to secure a winning well on top but paid the price for
fi nished past a justifi ably unhappy
promotion from Division 4 to of AET Brookes (Culdrose)
margin of 6-0. yet another poor pass which found
goalkeeper, LLogs Louise Lee
fairy tale
Division 2 in just two seasons. and ET(ME) Stockton (HMS
In atrocious weather conditions the police forward who caught the
(HMS Daring), 3-0 Salisbury.
Formed in September Daring), but the RN players were
that were more akin to standing RN defence square to score with
The Navy struggled to get
GREEN beret Maj Steve
2007 and comprising Service unable to convert them and the
on the forecastle of a Type 14 ease. The match fi nished 4-1 in
going again, partly down to
McCulley took third place in
personnel, wives and match fi nished with Cambridge
frigate in a force ten gale in the favour of Hampshire Police.
Salisbury’s movement and
the ominously-named Grim
girlfriends, the team were University running out 1-0
North Sea (something that John The women’s second match of
increased possession of the ball.
Duathlon, beating 385 racers.
runners-up in Division 4 at winners.
Gwynne knows nothing about), the season was against Salisbury
The constant desire to give the
The off-road duathlon took
the end of the league season, U23 manager WO1 Steve
the RN Veterans entertained a City Ladies at Raymond McEnhill
ball directly back to the opposition
place on the military training area
earning promotion to Division 3 Rule (HMS Collingwood) was
much younger Hampshire Police Stadium, Salisbury. The game
after having worked very hard
around Aldershot and comprised
as a result. particularly pleased with the
side. Even with a strong wind could not have begun any worse for
to gain possession did not help
of a 5km cross-country run, a
The team started with fewer performance of the six debutants
and driving rain in their faces the the RN when they conceded their
matters. On 65 minutes Salisbury
20km mountain bike and another
than ten players but by the end who looked comfortable on the
RN had the better of the opening fi rst goal after only six minutes.
scored a fourth after gaining
5km cross-country run.
of that fi rst season numbers ball.
exchanges and looked good on the Despite this early set back, the
possession from an unforced error
The race certainly lived up to
had doubled. The Navy Youth also played
counter attack. Navy started to try to build on
and questionable defending.
its grim name with four-feet-deep
The assault on Division 3 their fi rst competitive game in the
The fi rst effort on goal came the good work from the previous
After this the Navy started to
water ditches to contend with on
saw the team win 12 of their 13 South East Counties competition
in the 16th minute from the ever match, with some nice inter-
slowly get back into the game; a
the bike and 25-foot cargo nets to
matches to top the league by against Sussex Youth.
enthusiastic Paul Lewsley. Good passing between LA (SE) Amy
change of tactics and a reshuffl e of
scramble under during the runs.
the end of the season with 62
Despite losing to a strong, well inter play between Jim Smith and King (HMS Seahawk) and LMA
players saw them begin to settle in
Steve managed to complete the
points from a possible 65.
established team the U19s should Lewsley saw his shot scrape the Michelle Armer (HMS Excellent) to a style of play aimed at trying 5/20/5 race in an impressive 1h
In addition, the squad also
be commended having only come police crossbar. culminating in AB Sarah Mansfi eld to reduce the space in the centre 32m 6s – fi ve seconds ahead of
picked up the Alison Mead
together for the fi rst time on the The RN were guilty of giving (HMS Echo) being given the ball of the pitch. the fourth-place competitor.
trophy for being the 3rd/4th
Saturday before. possession away too often and in an advanced attacking position. Attacking down the fl anks put “It was a tough, but really
Division side which progressed
The majority of the squad had paid the penalty in the 25th The well-organised Salisbury the opposition fullbacks under enjoyable race and my best result
the furthest in the knock-out
only recently completed their minute when a poor clearance defence were quick to react to the pressure and led to the Navy of the year,” Steve said.
cup, reaching the quarter fi nals
initial training at Raleigh. found a police forward who hit an danger and the ball was cleared. creating a couple of good chances To put his achievement into
before being defeated.
The opening exchanges from unstoppable shot into the roof of On 15 minutes Salisbury got but just not being able to fi nd the perspective, the winner has
The squad has begun winter
the Navy side displayed some the net to go 1-0 ahead. a well-deserved second goal after fi nal telling pass. represented Great Britain as an
training this year with 28 players
promising moves, however, after The police increased this lead some really good passing and The fi nal minutes saw both elite and age group triathlete.
and is hoping to enter a second
15 minutes, they were caught in the 31st minute with a carbon- movement. teams have spells of pressure but The duathlon was Steve’s
team in the league next year.
unaware and Sussex went ahead copy of the opening goal. The Navy were dealt another tiredness set in and no more clear last race of 2009 and he is now
Potential players should
from a well-struck 20-yard volley. Good play between the blow only a minute later when chances were produced. Salisbury concentrating on the start of the
contact 01935 456712 / 456713.
The lead was further increased experienced Bob Brady and one of its most consistent players, ran out worthy 4-0 winners. 2010 mountain bike season.
NEW 047_NN_Dec.indd 1 20/11/09 15:08:10
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