Page 42 - issue17.05.2019

Royal Air Force News Friday, May 17, 2019 P34 Follow us @rafnewssport /sportrafnews

Sport

POLO
SA polo tour is so cool

Matches and training prove a hit

A MIXED bag of Service polo Crichton and Cpl Emily Altass, took know some RAF polo players, but
players took full advantage of the full advantage of everything on the also, being able to meet players from
association’s recent overseas tour tour. They developed hugely from South Africa and playing by their
to South Africa. the experience, and also undertook Polo rules, I had the chance to learn
Ranging from beginners to a team building visit to the Rorke’s innovative tactics and skills. “It was
seasoned players, the team of five was Drift battlefields.” an unforgettable experience.”
led by Flt Lt Eleanor Hoogewerf, and Polo beginner CPL Emily Altass: The association will take part in
combined with the Underberg Polo “As a beginner, the Polo Training the RA Cup at Tidworth Polo Club
Club to play 65 chukkas, along with Tour in South Africa was an absolute on May 27, the Duke of York Cup
training sessions from 5 High-Goal privilege and a fantastic opportunity Inter-Services, Tidworth Polo Club
handicapped professional coaches, to integrate with the RAF Polo team on June 1, Ham Challenge Sponsors’
while the complete beginners trained and take polo skills to higher level. Day, Ham Polo Club on June 9 and
with -2 handicapped coaches. “I was completely immersed in the the Development Inter-Services at
Team captain Flt Lt Ben Lane sport – from playing up to six hours Tidworth Polo Club on August 3.
said: “The team, which also featured per day to studying tactics over lunch. Follow the association on Twitter
Flt Lt John Sweet, Flt Lt Claire “It was a great way to get to @RAFPoloOfficial.

RUGBY UNION

Mixed IS bag for rugby union stars

than an hour we played in the
Army’s half. This resulted in
four superb tries. Although after
the break, the Army created
opportunities, at no point did
they look like overwhelming
the well-drilled RAF side.
“The win was the culmination of
more than a decade of work and
commitment by players, coaching
staff and management, for which I
am hugely proud.
“The professionalisation of
the women’s game is epitomised
by the leap the RAF Women have
taken to dominate a strong Army UP AND DOWN: Main and right, action from the double-header of Inter-Service matches
side. With numerous Premiership played at Gloucester versus the Army PHOTOS: SBS
and International stars among the
RAF cadre, we look forward to a we knew the myth of the Army for us on the day. It’s a wake-up
IT WAS a day to remember for the score 37-3 at the break, the RAF change in era, of the Inter-Services as unbeatable was gone. Now the call for us as a squad, and we are
Service’s ladies rugby union team men blunted the Army attack after women’s competition, where the girls proved that the Army are already working behind the scenes
as they stormed to an historic the break to just the two converted RAF sets the standard for others to beatable and have proved how to ensure we don’t have a repeat of
Inter-Services win, while the men tries for 49-3, despite losing Fg Off achieve.” brilliant they are.” this year’s campaign.
saw their title defence ended on a Rob Bell early on in the second Head coach FS John Wilding RAF men’s team stalwart, Cpl “Credit to the Army, they were
tough afternoon in Gloucester. half following a yellow card. said: “When I first coached this Josh McNally, said: “It’s been a fantastic this year and thoroughly
In a powerful display the ladies RAFRUW Director, Wg Cdr team in 2002 we had never beaten pretty disappointing IS campaign deserved the IS crown.”
team, led by Sqn Ldr Chrissy Mark Jackson, speaking after the the Army, and it has taken until for us, especially after the highs McNally now looks to meeting
Siczowa, stormed to a 23-14 win women’s win, said: “From the start now, but the way they have done of being crowned Inter-Service up with his new Premiership
over the Army. In the second of the match the RAF dominated. it, the way they have worked is Champions last season. league teammates at Bath, having
game of the day at the Kingsholm There were excellent attacking unbelievable. “The Navy fixture was a game bid farewell to London Irish after
Ground, the men’s team just could runs, enabled by an impenetrable “We drew last year, but we lost that could have gone either way, two years at the Sunbury-based
not get out of the blocks. With the defence, ensuring that for more the game technically. From there but the Army proved too strong club.