Regular updates on the latest results from Forces Sport in the UK and overseas.

Navy Crowned Inter Services Rugby League Champions

26th September 2008

Royal Navy 20 - 4 RAF

The Navy have finally got their hands on the Inter Services Rugby League Championship again after a 4 year wait. They ground out a 20 points to 4 victory in Portsmouth over the RAF, who have been the champions for the past three years. Such is the closeness of the championship between all three teams, it is the RAF who this year end up with the wooden spoon, after they lost to the Army in the opening match.

The Navy went out onto the immaculate Burnaby Road pitch, knowing they had plenty of leeway in their title quest. The RAF would have had to have won by 14 points. But the “Band of brothers” got off to the best possible start, Steve Lockton scoring the first try. The RAF replied through Karl Craven and for the bulk of the match the scores remained tied on 4 a piece. But after the loss of Spider Le Mar to the sin bin, for showing his frustration a little too much, the Navy with the extra man, eased their way to the title with three further tries, the pick of them from Alex Scruton.

For the Navy this is inter services win is a great achievement. They have played the best football of all three teams this season, and after their first ever title secured at Richmond four years ago, to finally win the championship on their home territory is the icing on the cake.

Navy stun the Army on their own patch

Inter Services Rugby League

17th September 2008

Army 18 - 40 Navy

The Army's thoughts of a first Inter Services title in five years lay in tatters at Aldershot last night, after the Navy inflicted one of their biggest ever wins over their old rivals.

The Army never really recovered from losing their two centres early in the game, after what might have been seen as high tackles. But a game that had crept along for the first twenty minutes, with both sides trading a couple of penalties each, suddenly came to life, when the Navy scored two tries, through Max Boyce and Jimmy Barnes. The immaculate kicking of Dane Smallbone, meant by the time Mosese Matau scored the Army's first try, the Navy had an 8 point lead at the interval. They then increased it just after the break, Barnes again scoring, before Max Vave scoreds the first of two tries to give the home side some hope. Throughout the evening the Army were guilty of conceding needless penalties and each time Smallbone made them pay.

With three minutes left the Navy had a ten point lead, 28-18.

But they upped the pace and added 2 further converted tries from James Wagstaffe and man of the match Lewis Taylor. It was the icing on the cake for the Navy who had played a highly disciplined game and deserved the win.

Army score first blood in 2008 Inter Services Rugby League Championships

5th September 2008

RAF 10 - 14 Army

The Army have made a huge step towards winning their first Inter Services Rugby League championship in 5 years after beating the RAF in a close fought game in terrible weather at Uxbridge.

Despite the driving rain and wind, high tempo football was assured with all the players hoping for selection for the Combined Services squad, to take part in the services World Cup in Australia in November.

The RAF settled to the task far quicker, and were rewarded as early as the fourth minute. After a period of sustained pressure Lance Tallet dived over for the try.   Martin Wood converted to give the defending champions a 6-0 lead.

And for the next 20 minutes the RAF completely dominated possession. They'll be wondering how on earth they failed to add to their score, a shortcoming which would come back to haunt them.

After 24 minutes the Army made their first meaningful attack. Persistent pressure resulted in a terrific pick up and try from Mosee Matau.   Lee Innes couldn't convert the opportunity, but 8 minutes later it was Innes who produced some individual brilliance to score their second try and give the Army an unlikely 8-6 lead.

When the RAF missed a further chance to regain ascendancy just before the break, the sides went in at half time with just 2 points between them.

In the deluge the RAF started the second half as they had the first and did finally get a deserved second try.  John Turner fed Gareth Evans who had the momentum to cross the line, to make it 10-8.

But the Army were in no mood to surrender and with ten minutes left RAF full back Steve Hughes was tackled, Rob Kalmer got on the ball and charged for the line to score, with Lee Innes's goal it made the result 14-10.

Army miss out on Seven's Heaven

Middlesex 7's at Twickenham

16th August 2008

Despite producing a fantastic display of sevens rugby at Twickenham the Army just failed to win the Middlesex title.

Winners in 2001 and 2004 the Army saw off illustrious opponents from the Guinness Premiership with an excellent team performance.  Led by former Scotland Seven's star Mark Lee and Fijian international Apo Satala helped the Army to victories over Saracens, Leicester Tigers and Gloucester.

The final saw the soldiers meet a Harlequins side loaded with England internationals including Dave Strettle, Mike Brown and Nick Easter.

In the end, the professionals showed just enough quality to see them home winning the final 22-12.

Round One Army 22 Saracens 12

Quarter Final Army 31 Leicester Tigers 7

Semi Final Army 24 Gloucester 10

Final Army 12 Harlequins 22

'Hole' lot of joy as Army Retain Twenty 20 Title

Men's Inter Services Twenty 20 Cricket Championships

24th June 2008

The Army men have won this year's inter Service Twenty 20 Championship in Portsmouth.

Steve Hole was named man-of-the tournament thanks to some fine work with bat and ball.  Against the RAF the all rounder grabbed a pair of wickets for just 8 runs as the Army comfortably beat the light blues by 6 wickets.  In the deciding match against the Royal Navy, Hole blasted his way to 64 not out to help the Army record a 28 run victory.

In the other game, the RAF slumped to a 26 run defeat against the Navy.  Veteran bowler John “JP” Parker bagged 3 wickets to see off the airmen.

Results

Royal Navy beat the RAF by 26 runs

Army beat the RAF by 6 wickets

Army beat the Navy by 28 runs

Army's Big Hitters Blast them to Twenty 20 Glory

Women's Inter Services Twenty 20 Cricket Championships

18th June 2008

The Army women have won this year's Inter Service Twenty 20 Championship thanks to some superb batting performances.  This was the first time forces women have enjoyed their own tournament and the three matches at Vine Lane highlighted just how well the female game has developed.

Amanda Potgeiter revelled in her opener's role against the RAF with a quick fire 121 not out.   She also collected a wicket as the army beat their hosts by 123 runs.

Earlier army skipper Lisa Vanzyl led her team to a ten-wicket victory against the Navy smashing 48 runs and taking three wickets.

Last year's winners the Navy avoided the wooden spoon with a convincing 83 run win against the RAF.

Results:

Army beat the Royal Navy by 10 wickets

Royal Navy beat the Royal Air Force by 83 runs

Army beat the Royal Air Force by 123 runs

The Army Make it a Magnificent 7 at Twickenham

Inter Services Rugby Championship 2008

3rd May 2008

Army 22 - 11 Royal Navy

The Army stretched their unbeaten run in the annual Rugby fixture with the Navy to seven beating the senior service by 22 points to 11 in front of 50,500 at Twickenham.

The Navy made a rip roaring start and almost scored a try in the first minute. Their captain Dave Pascoe tried to seize the initiative from two early attacking penalties, rather than kicking for goal, but after 22 minutes he did elect to kick between the posts, to give the Navy a 3-0 lead.

But that induced a massive response from the Army, who up till then had been second best. After repeated infringements near their own line the Navy were penalised and Andrew Dennis sin binned. This cost them dear as Chris Budgen scored an inevitable trade mark push over try on 33 minutes . Then a minute later the inspirational Apo Satala produced a magnificent run to carve through the Navy defence, before off loading to Darrell Ball to score a second try. With Rob Sweeney missing both conversions, a second penalty from Pascoe clawed back three more points for the Navy to make the score 10-6 at half time.

It was the Army who made the perfect start to the second period, from a rolling maul Melvyn Lewis got the final touch and Mal Roberts assuming kicking duties, duly added the conversion. With a 17-6 cushion, the Army were able to enjoy the occasion and threatened more tries as they dominated possession. When they had the ball the Navy looked dangerous with Josh Drauniniu threatening to cut loose when he had the opportunity. But the crucial fourth try for the Army effectively won them the game, Apo Satala getting his just rewards for a masterful display. That made it 22-6. But the Navy also got what their hard work deserved, a try in the final moments from Wayne Dugan as the Army line was finally breached.

Daryll Ball was made man of the match, but it was also a great day for the Army's hooker Georgie Kemble, gaining his 17 th and final cap. He was sent to collect the Babcock trophy, with the Navy showing their respect by asking him to wear a Dark Blue shirt.

The players of both teams made a superb gesture to the BFBS BIG SALUTE charity fundraiser, offering £10.00 for each point scored at Twickenham (£330.00 a very generous donation).

The Navy will be back next year, to try and do a “Robert the Bruce”, who took eight attempts to achieve his goal, a victory over the English.

Earlier in the day the Army women had sealed a magnificent 75-0 win over the navy scoring 13 tries. Meanwhile the Army Veterans saw off the Navy 18-11 in their game and the Combined Services under 23's lost their game to the English Universities Under 23 side 38- 26.

Inter Services Rugby Championship 2008

RAF Swept Aside by the Army

23rd April 2008

RAF 6 - 42 Army

The Army scored a very comfortable victory over the RAF in the second of this season's Inter services Rugby Fixtures. The RAF were determined to improve on their poor showing against the Navy, but conceded a try within two minutes of the kick off at Newbury, new cap Dan Cootes scoring the first of his two tries.

The RAF briefly rallied and were unlucky not to reply from a drop goal attempt from Phil Thomas, which bounced off the post. He also missed two penalties, before the Army roared in for a second try. An outrageous cross-field pass from Apo Satala set up Mal Roberts to score. The Army added a third try before the break, Joe Kava powering his way over to score under the posts, with Rob Sweeney converting. Both sides then traded penalties, to make the half time score 3-20 to the visitors.

After the break it was business as usual, as the Army added a further four tries, Apo Satala almost nonchalantly running through to the line to score the first of them.

Coach Andy Price used all five of his available replacements, at one stage making four changes at once, which reaped instant dividend., Dan Cootes getting his second try. The other two scores came from left winger Malakai Magnes. But in truth, this win was earned by the magnificent forward play that has been such a feature of the Army's seven year period dominating forces rugby. Chris Budgen put in an awesome display on the front row, which didn't yield him a try, but did give him the man of the match award. It was also a night of celebration for the Army's Cpl Ben Hughes. He won his 25 th army cap.

The RAF had the last say with the scoring, Gareth Spain kicking a drop goal in stoppage time. They have improved this season, the problem for them is so have the Army and Navy. They now meet at Twickenham on May 3rd , it promises to be a cracking game.

Inter Services Rugby Championship 2008

Navy Rugby Players Put RAF to the Sword

16th April 2008

Royal Navy 67 - 12 RAF

The Navy Rugby team scored ten tries in their 67-12 demolition of the RAF at Portsmouth. The RAF had high hopes of reversing several lean years, especially after their women and veterans teams had won their matches. But the Navy, inspired by tremendous forward play and with the backs to open up their opponents were too good.

The Navy were already 21–0 up inside the first quarter of an hour, thanks to converted tries from Will Pilkington, Andy Vance and the first of five tries scored by Greg Barden. When flying winger Josh Drauniniu added a fourth try the writing was on the wall for the RAF. But to their credit, they pulled back two push over tries on either side of half time. Dave Pascoe's kicking was again on track, with an early second half penalty. Then the flood gates opened like a submarine ballast tank, as the Navy's unstoppable backs ran amuck, including replacement Tom O'Keefe.

The RAF will have to pick themselves up for the Army's visit to Newbury on Wednesday 23 rd April. The Navy are already relishing the prospect of Twickenham on May 3 rd , when they'll be hoping for their first inter services victory in six years.

Army Challenge Cup Final 2008

16th April 2008

9 Regt AAC 3 - 0 3 Yorks

9 Regt AAC won the Army Challenge Cup for the first time in the Regiments history after a convincing 3-0 win over 3 Yorks at Aldershot.

Baz O'Neil set them on their way in the first half after making the most of some sloppy 3 York defence.  The lead was doubled soon after when Charlie Walbrook latched onto a Martin Keane through ball, before sliding it into the goal.

Dave King went close for 3 Yorks just after the break, but the game was finished off when Walbrook tapped home his second to seal a famous win.

Inter Service Football Championship 2008

Light Blues Flying High After 8 Year Wait

12th March 2008

Royal Navy 0 - 2 RAF

The Royal Air Force have won their first Inter Service title for 8 years following their 2-0 win over the Navy at Portsmouth.  The Airmen followed up last weeks 3-0 win against the Army with a comfortable result at the Victory Stadium.  Paul Feeley opened the scoring in the first half with a well taken effort following a great run by his Captain, Michael Douglas.

The Navy accumulated more yellow cards than they managed shots on goal as their frustration at chasing the game grew.  The light blues killed the game off when Darren Shallicker tapped home just before the end for their first forces title in 8 years.

LSR Win their First Army Boxing Title

6th March 2008

2LSR based at PRB in Gutersloh in Germany are the 2008 Army Major Units novice boxing champions.  They beat their fellow RLC unit 13 Air Assault Support Regiment by 6 bouts to 3 at the final held in Aldershot's Maida Gym.

13 Air Assault got off to the perfect start with Chav Chester scoring a points win over Dave Coleman 7-2 at Bantam Weight.  But 2 LSR hit back with "Teeth" Draper and Seamus Teale claiming the next two bouts at Feather and Light Weight respectively.  When "Pixie" Pickard put his opponent Danny Watson onto the canvas in their Light Welterweight bout, it gave the BFG team a 3-1 half time lead.

And they went on to claim the Welterweight, Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight bouts to take their first ever Army boxing title.

Team Manager Sgt Jay Cochran was delighted with the result.  The unit deploy on operations soon and he says morale will now be sky high.  They hope to defend their title next year.