48 NAVY NEWS, MAY 2010

Next month

Pictures: LA(Phot) Keith Morgan, FRPU East

your teeming shore’ –

Dunkirk 70th anniversary supplement

‘Give me the wretched refuse of

Lucy joins 2012 team

THE RN’s top female boxer will represent her country at the 2012 Olympics. For the first time, female and

male boxers will be competing in the ring at the London games (not at the same time obviously...). Lt Lucy O’Connor is ranked

Where Super Eagles dare – commandos return to Nigeria

RAF shot down by RN

THE Royal Navy notched up a resounding victory against a young and spirited Royal Air Force team in Portsmouth in the opening match of the Babcock Inter-Services

rugby union contest.

Earlier in the day, the RN Veterans narrowly missed out after a second-half comeback, losing by

16 points to 19, writes Lt Cdr Paula Rowe, RNRU.

back-to-back wins against the RAF in the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons.

since achieving

This was followed by a well- deserved win for the RN Women, 14-11. It had been lean time of late for the Navy women in this competition,

Cartoon character – the life and work of Maj ‘Griff’ Griffiths RM

Plus

All the action from the Army-Navy clash at

Twickenham

between the two Services, the scene was set for a thrilling clash that would see the Royal Navy Senior XV aiming for their 50th win over the men in light blue since 1920 (the Air Force have 31 wins).

starting line-up, and four more on the bench, the RN were to show from the kick-off that they were all fi t, strong and determined to play a high-tempo and physical game. After only fi ve minutes,

break by full back Rob Lloyd (42 Cdo RM), good continuity and recycling,

Wayne John (HMS Liverpool) crossing the line for the fi rst points of the evening,

skipper PO Dave Pascoe (RNAS Culdrose). Pascoe was winning his 21st RN cap – elevating him to the top echelon of Navy players. He then converted a penalty to put the Navy into a ten-point lead after 14 minutes.

Just minutes later centre Dale Sleeman (HMS Cumberland) marked his debut in fi ne style by adding the Navy’s second try (unconverted). Four more tries followed for the

converted by resulted in standoff a Fielding four new caps in the

● A look of fi erce determination is etched on the faces as the RN ladies chase down the ball during their 14-11 victory over the RAF

In the second half, the Navy added a further tally of tries from Josh Drauniniu (HMNB Portsmouth),

second row and new cap Dennis Scotthorne (42 Cdo RM), centre Calum Macrae (CTCRM) and back row and new cap Kieran Morton (UKLFCSG). When the fi nal whistle blew, the

score was Royal Navy 73 RAF 3. The large crowd was treated to a game of open, running rugby that saw the Navy play at a high tempo and intensity. Every RN break was met by resounding cheers from the home supporters, who watched an expansive and fl owing game unfold.

Navy courtesy of two from Lloyd and one apiece from back rows Les Dennis (HMS Nelson) and Greg Barden (RM Poole). The RAF points from a penalty kick put the half-time score at 39–3 to the RN.

In the face of this dark blue onslaught, the RAF remained resolute and kept working hard for each other until the end.

Led by their uncompromising and experienced second row Howard Parr,

individual performances of note that augur well for the future of

there were Lloyd, Barden,

RAF rugby; 19-year-old back row Sam Attwooll in particular showed huge promise. The score in the Navy’s favour did not really refl ect the level of commitment and teamwork of the RAF side. The Navy team played as a

deserving mention for their performances.

in his jinking running style that has now been enhanced by his ability to off-load in the tackle. Young Sleeman at centre has

cohesive unit throughout, clearly reaping the benefi ts of their training camp at HMS Nelson. Several players stood out,

Cpl Damien Chambers (UKLFCSG), who has missed out for the last two years due to injury, made a huge impact from the No.8 position, creating gaps for the back row of Dennis and Barden to exploit. Cpl Gaz Evans (539 ASRM) in the open fi eld was as devastating as ever and his unselfi sh pass of the ball in sight of the line allowed Drauniniu to score.

Drauniniu has clearly made the most of his time spent with the England 7s squad and showed this

With the honours even

fi fth in the world in her category – 51kg fl yweight – and holds a string of medals and titles, including gold at the 2008 European Championships and four ABA titles. She was named Combined Services Sportswoman of the Year in March. The 31-year-old junior offi cer is the most senior of the six female boxers in the RN and joins a seven-strong women’s squad preparing for the 2012 games. She divides her time between training with the RN boxing squad at HMS Nelson and the English Institute of Sport in Sheffi eld

“It is a dream come true to be selected for the squad but it is now when the hard work really starts,” she said.

“This will be the only chance I get to compete at the Olympic Games so I am going to train hard, learn from the coaches and do everything I can to be part of the team for 2012.”

Red prevails over green

THE eighth staging of rugby league’s Trafalgar Cup clash saw the Parachute Regiment claim only their second victory with a hard-fought 25-14 win over the Corps side in Leeds. The game was played at

West Park Leeds’ ground after the pitch at the original venue – Leeds Rhinos’ Headingley stadium – was deemed

unsuitable, writes WO1 Keith Humpleby, RNRL spokesman.

The new setting and facilities

were excellent, but weather conditions meant the game was littered with mistakes from both sides.

Whilst pleased with the result, RN Director of Rugby Geraint Ashton Jones sounded a note of caution: “This was a very encouraging performance from the Navy squad and I was particularly pleased with the way the new players delivered on the park. “But there are still three weeks of hard work before we face our sternest test against the Army at Twickenham.”

shown throughout the season that he is a talented player, working alongside Calum and Scott to produce a ‘steel wall’ in defence and a fast explosive reaction to any ball that is turned over. Finally, man of the match LAET Marsh Cormack (RNAS Culdrose) had what has to be one of his best performances in a Navy shirt. His open fi eld play, either as a ball carrier or in support, was outstanding.

The Paras got the better of these early mistakes to score and convert after 15 minutes. From the restart the Paras continued to pressure the Royals with some strong running from their No.10 which led to the red berets’ second, unconverted try.

It took the commandos another 12 minutes before they replied with their own try from ‘Taff’ Rossiter to make the score 4-10 after half an hour. The Paras replied with a drop goal to close the fi rst half at 11-4 up.

As the second period opened, the green berets’ passes started to stick and with some quick ball play they hit back with two rapid tries which brought the score to 14-17. As the game entered the fi nal quarter there was everything to play for.

 Continued on page 47

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