Page 42 - issue19.04.2019

Royal Air Force News Friday, April 19, 2019 P34 Follow us @rafnewssport /sportrafnews

Sport

ACADEMIC SCORE
RUGBY UNION

RN Presidents XV put to the sword by buzzing RAF men

RAF Academy 44
RN Preidents XV 7
STAFF REPORTER
RAF Halton
A RESOUNDING win was the
reward for the RAFRU Academy’s
players as they romped to a 44-7
win over a Royal Navy Presidents
XV side at RAF Halton.
The Service men went on the
attack from the off, with standoff
SAC Luke Armstrong kicking
into touch on the Navy 22m line.
The first line-out of the game was
followed by quick-hands from SAC
Rhyan Scott-Young on the wing,
offloading in the tackle to scrum
half Cpl Joe Parkin to score in the
corner after only two minutes. SAC
Armstrong converted for 7-0.
The restart saw the same result
with the RAF again securing good
ball, following a Navy clearance
they went on the front foot with
Cpl Joe Parkin again releasing the
backs.
Great running lines in the centre
saw the Navy defence sucked in
creating a three on two overlap with
SAC Danny Bournes going through
the gap for the RAF’s second
converted try in five minutes for
14 – 0.
Continued pressure from the
RAF saw the Navy concede several
penalties which again had the Navy WILLY WON’T HE: Above, Cpl Willy Wilton dives over for a try in the Academy team’s thumping win over the Navy PHOTO: SBS
pinned in their 22m.
Following a good driving ball Cricket
from a lineout the RAF, playing a
penalty advantage SAC Armstrong
ball he again showed his pace and Cricketers use Academy day to show
found SAC Scott-Young who had
come in off the wing. Gathering the
power to get past the first man and
fend off two tackles to score in the
right corner for 19 – 0. continued how bright future is for summer game
The dominance
from there, with Cpl Willy Wilton,
pictured, seeing a lack of defenders SAC James Bairstow
breaking away from the maul to his side will show some improvements from
score a converted try. Birmingham last season: “When I was given the job, I
Cpl Parkin and SAC Scott-Young had a vision that we would make steady
added to the score for 36 – 0 at the WITH THE start of the cricket season only “ I had a vision that improvements every year and I think we have
break. weeks away, Development Squad Head we would make steady done that in my first two seasons in charge.
The second half saw the Navy Coach Flight Sergeant Curtis Dixon was full “We have improved in all areas of the game
come out more disciplined and of optimism following an excellent turn out improvements every year and we are here to make the step up to Senior
better organised, retaining a lot at last month’s trials at the Forward DrIve and I think we have done Representative Team a smooth process and
of possession in the opening Academy in Birmingham. ” it seems to be working as we work closely
exchanges, but when SAC Nick Dixon said: “We had 23 players at the trials with the Academy, is now in its third year, with them. We want the players, old and new,
Arnell, on as a replacement at and I was very pleased with the standard on Kazi said: “We are absolutely delighted and to be able to play their own games, express
fullback picked up the ball and show. I expect some of the trialists to work honoured to help the RAF Cricket Squads out. themselves and push on. We are hoping
made a strong winding run, it their way up to the Senior Representative We are extremely proud to help the Royal Air for a good run in the IS T20 Competition
ended with another score. Team this season. Force out in any way that we can, because they this season and hopefully we will be able to
The game continued with “I cannot thank and praise Academy owner do an amazing job for the United Kingdom, dethrone The Army,” Dixon added.
neither side exerting any great Farukh Kazi enough for his generosity. He just like the rest of our Armed Forces do. The Development Squad’s season gets
control, before the hosts secured goes beyond the call of duty and he goes that This is the third year of our partnership and underway with an Engagement Tour in
their first points with a well-worked extra mile for us. It is a privilege to practice hopefully we are only just at the beginning of Birmingham that runs between 20 – 23 May,
converted try. here and we are very grateful for everything it. The standard of cricket on show today was and Dixon is currently trying to finalise his
The last minutes of the game saw that he has done for us. The location is perfect amazing and that bodes well for them for the squad. He said: “This is the hard part because
the RAF win a penalty on the Navy for us because it is very central. The players coming season.” there is so much talent to pick from and it’s
10m line which SAC Arnell elected love it here and the facilities are second to FS Dixon is approaching the start of his not easy whittling it down, and it’s always
to kick at goal for the final score of none too.” third season in the role as Development hard when you have to tell a few people that
the game. The RAF Cricket Squad’s relationship Squad Head Coach and he is confident that they haven’t made it.”