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NAVY NEWS, MARCH 1997
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In brief
Cross country coup for the Royal Marines
Fox proves too illusive
THE 1997 Navy Cross Country Championships were hosted by the Royal Marines for the first time 20 in years and the Corps celebrated by providing most of the individual and team winners, writes Lt Cdr Bob Chapman. Woodbury Common was the venue, an exposed but scenic part of East Devon overlooking both the Channel and the River Exe. Long, undulating stretches of sand, heath and stones and some severe hills makes for an ideal training ground for Marines but proved tough going for the runners on the fine, dry day. The mens race (6.4 miles) was a triumph for the Marines as they provided the first three runners home and packed eight into the first 12 finishers. After the initial early rush, Chris Cook (CTCRM) pushed the • Cross county runners battle it out over the tough course at Woodbury Common pace hard and attacked particularly strongly on the steep climb at the end of the first lap . He opened a gap in the field but CTCRM's Mark Croasdale managed to stay with him. C'roasdale, one of the UK's top fell runners, stayed with Cook until the final hill where his superior c l i m b i n g strength allowed him to open up a lead of 100m to finish in 37 minutes 35. Cook, came in second with 37 minutes 35, his best time for the Navy so far, with Terry Pares (RM Poole) third with 37 minutes 55. The Royal Marines easily won the team race ahead of Naval Air Command. The veterans race was held A CREW of Navy yachtsmen flew half way round the w i t h i n the mens race and John world to take on Australia's finest sailors and won Rye (HQCARM) ran a typically strong second lap to finish top honours in a borrowed boat. 7th overall to take the title Russell Clark (mainsail trimahead of Bob Chapman The team from BRNC mer) OC Richard Eastwood (Yeovilton) in 13th and Al Dartmouth led by Lt Cdr (Mast) and OC Nick Leason Rich (Portland) in 14th place. Mike Broughton won two (cockpit.) In the ladies race, Lt Claire races in Melborne and The Scarborough of Cerebus Norsworthy (CINCFLEET) came seventh of 75 yachts was loaned by the RAN in a had a comfortable win with 22 in the Melborne to Hobart new exchange which will allow minutes 47 ahead of LWRN race. the Aussie's to race an RN boat Vicky Norton (Portland) with Despite the unfamiliar lay- at Cowes week and in the 23 minutes 33. The team race out of their Swarbrick 36 Fasnet. was won by RM/ 'Scarborough of Cerebus' the Plymouth/Thames Command. The team's phenomenal succrew took the Australian cess prompted BAe-Sema to The juniors race (4.2 miles) Performance Handicap announce a major sponsorship was won comfortably by HMS Championship Trophy. package which will enable Dryad's Kevin Steele with 27 them to compete in next year's m i n u t e s 37 but the team race Treacherous the Sydney-based Southern went to the Royal Marines. Cross Series, where they are • Skipper Mike Broughton and S/Lt Russell Clark on 'Scarborough The 480-mile Melborne to Command events expected to represent Great of Cerebus' ten minutes into the Melborne to Hobart race Hobart is reputed to be the Britain. toughest yacht race in the The Portsmouth Command world and took the Navy crew Championships at HMS Dryad through the same treacherous resulted in a clean sweep for area in which Tony Bullimore HMS Collingwood. capsized. Lt Ginge Gough won both NAVY squash players achieved their best Turnbull (Haslar) and WOM Chalmers (HMS Brave) When they reached the mens race and the veterans Interservices results for 18 years when the struggled against superior opposition. Tasmania, they took on the title in 29m 10 from Cpl Mark The Veterans team were always in contention Women and Under 25 teams beat their countercombined Sidney to Hobart Goodridge (Nelson) and OM despite losing 4-1 to the eventual winners, the RAF, parts in the RAF and Army. and Melborne to Hobart fleets Paul Rowe won the junior race and salvaged some pride by beating the Army to come The Under 25s were the first to set the standard in the prestigious 'King of comfortably. Collingwood also a creditable second. when the HMS Sultan trio of LAEM McDowell, AEA Derwent' race and became the supplied the ladies winner in The Senior side also struggled against a superior Draper and AEA Armstrong beat their Army oppofirst ever overseas entry to win Nicky Kearney. RAF consisting of the CS first and fourth string but nents. despite international competiAt the Air Command found some success lower down the order through Not to be outdone, the Wrens team also won their tion going back 20 years. Championships at HMS CPOPT Stewart (Nelson.) 2nd, 3rd and 4th string matches with the deciding The team were Lt Cdr Mike Raleigh. Heron took the mens The Wrens team went on to beat last year's winners, match being won by Lt Cdr Crumplin (MOD MB) to Broughton (skipper/tactician) titles with Lt Jim Donnelly the the Army, 4-1 to become team champions for the first clinch victory against the RAF second string 3-2, Lt Cdr Clive Woodman (helm) winner from LWTR Paul time since 1979. The Under 25's 4-1 defeat of the despite being 7-2 down in the final game. Lt Matthew Reed (bow/navigaLevick. RAF was the first since 1980 and AEA Draper's 27-0 Victories were also gained by CPOW Shaw (DNR) tor) Lt lisa McCulloch (trimmer) HMS Osprey won the veterand POWren Walker (BRNC Dartmouth) but LMAQ win was a very rare achievement at Interservice level. Lt Ian Taberer (halyards) S Lt ans title through Cdr Al Rich and the ladies t i t l e through LWRN Vicky Norton. The final Hampshire League race was held at Bournemouth and RNAC finished 5th. Overall, the team finished 5th in the league, an average result with several runNAVY SWIMMER PO Neil Tail from RNAS Portland ners turning out regularly but has been voted Sports Personality of the Year. few outstanding performances. The Sports Control Board had a tough time selecting the the The veterans team did well winner but awarded the NATO Cup to PO Tail for his exceptionto finish third overall, but the al record in Service swimming. most notable achievement was by the ladies team who finished With a national ranking of 10th Team members have achieved 9th overall - the first time a in the 200m at the 1996 GB trials, international success at the last ladies team has competed. he remains the most outstanding two world championships and at Claire Norsworthy has been Service swimmer of his generation the last National Relay the outstanding club performer Championships in 1996 they and continues to represent the RN and finished 19th overall, and and CS in both speed swimming became UK Champions. the day after her Bournemouth and water polo. CS Award run she came third in the The team competition was Watford Half Marathon in 82 equally close and this year's winTheir continuing success has m i n u t e s 28. ning team were the Navy's Women gained them further recognition On the same day. Lt Gough Triathletes. and they have also been nominatran the IOkm Chichester Road Since their formation in 1992 ed as the Combined Services Team Race and finished 8th (2nd vetthey have improved every year and of the Year and will receive an eran) in 31 minutes 27. • The RN Women Triathletes, voted Navy and Combined Services have been unbeaten in the award at this year's Royal team of the year. Intcrscrvicc Championships. Tournament in July.
CH CLARE FOX of HMS Northumberland made a big splash at 5th Open Swimming Championships at HMS Raleigh. Clare took part in all eight events and was up against some of the Navy's most experienced swimmers. But at the end of the competition she had won four silver and four bronze medals and was named individual champion. Clare (below) who started swimming at the age of six, has been in HMS Northumberland nine months.
Navy turns Aussie sailing upside-down Squash team comes bouncing back
Sports personalities of the year
Trials for U25 cricket team A TRIALS and coaching weekend for prospective members of the U25 Cricket Team will be held at Burnaby Road, Portsmouth on April 25-27. Interested players should contact Lt Cdr Dalton at RNAS Culdrose on extension 2518 or POSA Jeff McKeever on HMS Dryad 4615, even if they cannot make the trials weekend. A scorer is also required for the season, an important and vital role.
Roy's top tips TOP RUGBY coach Roy Laidlow passed on some top tips to the RN's Scottish Team at Faslane. Roy is the National Coaching Co-ordinator for the Scottish Rugby Football Union.
Golf dates set RN DIVERS have announced the date for this year's golf championships at Southwick Park. The event will be held on Friday July 25 and details and entry forms are already available from WO(D) Spike Hughes at the Defence Diving School, Horsea Island extension 4173. Last year's event, run by WO (D) Mo Crang, was an resounding success and raised more than £2,500 for Portsmouth Hospitals MRI Scanner Appeal.
Submariners The Scottish & Newcastle Brewery Submariners Golf Championships will be held at Rowlands Castle Golf Club on June 12. The event is open to all past and present submariners and the entrance fee of £37.50 includes two rounds of golf, lunch, an evening meal and prizes.. For "full details contact Lt Cdr Brian Burgess on Centurion extension 2900 or CWEA Steve Herridge on HMNB Portsmouth extension 24718 by the middle of May. Alternatively, contact your sports officer who should have all the information you require.