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NAVY NEWS, AUGUST 2000
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Sport Awesome All angles covered throw wins gold medal for Julie FOLLOWING last year's haul of 14 medals in the interServices athletics championships was always going to be difficult, writes Lt Graeme Riley. But the Navy team gave it their best shot - and some individuals emerged with speetaeular successes. Surg Lt Julie Robin (RH Haslar) pul in a superb discus throw of 38.13m. almost ten metres ahead of her nearest rival and 41cm best than the 24-yearold Navy record. A dash from Haslar meant minimal warm-up time for the shot, killing off hopes of a medal double, but thai could be on the cards for next year, as she finished just 17cm off third place. S/Lt Carolyn Kenyon (HMS Richmond) couldn't retain her long jump title, coming second to the Army's talented L/C pi Benjamin. LPT Zoe Hambly (HMS Northumberland) managed a fine 3rd in the 200m, and having been at sea for last year's competition, she aims to make the most of her shore time from this winter. Other medals came from S/Lt Laurie Evans (BRNC). who was third in the 400m hurdles, and WHA Nikki Stopforth. third in the 40()m. Mid Anna McNiecc (BRNC) took silver in the high jump. just 5cm behind the winner, while POWWTR Vicki Norton Lynsey Gannon (Northwood HO) and POWWTR Vicki Norton (CTCRM) were fourth and fifth in the 5000m, both breaking Lynsey's Navy record by some margin. The highlight of the men's competition was a thrilling steeplechase. Musn Tim Watson (RM Band) put in his best run of the season to dominate the steeplechase, making an early break with Mne Wayne Dashper (45 Cdo). Tim broke away as the chasing group closed on Wayne, with Army and RAF runners passing the second Navy man. But Wayne put in a kick 200m out, and had regained second spot by the home straight, hanging on to silver by the thickness of his running vest in a dip for the line. LMEA Jason Gresswell (HMS Sultan) looked out of contention at the bell in the 800m. but put in a fast second lap to overhaul a tiring RAF rival and claim bronze. Another bronze went to Lt Jamie Summers (CTCRM) in the hammer, with his superior technique giving him the edge over some much bigger athletes. POAEA Dave Mitchell (RNAS Yeovilton) was third for the second year running in the javelin, and Musn John Roberts (RM Band) took silver in the high jump for the third year in succession. OC Clinton Johnson (BRNC) and LMEA Mark Johnson were just edged out in a tight 400m, while Cpl Damian Todd (CTCRM) got the better of the RAF second string by three hundredths of a second in the hurdles. The 4x400m relay ended in confusion, with the track referee disqualifying all three teams and handing the inter-Services title to the RAF - although video evidence suggested the Navy were innocent victims, and thus deprived of another gold.
Bound for China TWO Navy footballers, POPT Paul Willetts and CC Steve Johnson, have been picked for the prestigious two-week Combined Services tour to China next month.
PORTSMOUTH almost swept the board in the Navy coarse angling championships near Banbury. Team captain CPO Kev Garwood led the way in the team match, and with support from CRS Roger Clacey, CPO Phil James and CPO Oscar Wylde, HMS Nelson took the team champions cup. Portsmouth Associates Knocker White, Phil Timms. Tony Medley and Pete Archer - won the associate team champions cup.
The individual match on the second day saw Nelson team regular Roger Clacey, of FOSF CXP, take the title of RN champion in what is probably his last champions match as a serving angler. Last year's individual associate champion Dave Harper, from Derbyshire, retained his title, and his combined results over both days gave him the aggregate cup as well. Nelson angler Lt Cdr John Evans won the specimen fish trophy with a 2lb 5oz crucian carp.
BAe backs hopefuls DEFENCE giant BAE Systems has pumped £15,000 of sponsorship into the future of Royal Navy sport. The money will be used for the development of young sportsmen and women who show the potential to move to the top of their chosen sport. HMS Gloucester provided the backdrop for a gathering of such candidates, including decathlete Cpl Dave Bonsall (HMS Temeraire), athlete S/Lt
Carolyn Kenyon (HMS Richmond), yachtsman L(D) Richie Bailey (HMS Brocklesby), cricketer WCH Ursula Ball (HMS Fearless) and bobsleigh member Mne Lee Johnson (CTCRM Lympstone). The cheque was handed to Second Sea Lord Admiral Peter Spencer by Robin Southwell of BAE Systems on the deck of the destroyer in Portsmouth.
Navy makes debut at martial arts contest A ROYAL Navy and Royal Marines team made their debut in the inter-Service martial arts championships - and caused a few ruffled feathers amongst their more experienced opponents, writes LPT Toff Davies.
• Synchronised attack: MEM Lee Watts (right), of CFM Portsmouth, in action against an Army competitor in the taekwondo sparring competition. MEM Watts lost the contest on points.
Fitness suite re-opened THE FITNESS suite at Britannia Royal Naval College has been extensively refurbished, thanks to donations from the Sailors and Fleet Amenities Funds and the RN Sports Lottery. The Commanding Officer at Dartmouth, Commodore Mark Kerr, opened the upgraded facility,
and was shown around by the Sports Officer, Lt Cdr Paula Rowe. and PT staff. Commodore Kerr said: "It is important to provide a modern facility for the use of all, and especially one that encourages both staff and students alike to partake of a personal fitness regime."
Swell showing in surf COMPETITION proved tough against some of the best surfers in the country. But a Royal Navy/Royal Marines team still managed to take seventh place out of 12 teams in the inaugural British Longboard Interclub Championships at Saunton Sands in North Devon. Conditions were far from ideal, requiring hard work and determination. The competition was in the form of 15 heats of four surfers, with CPO Dave Burr and PO Shaun Maloney coming second in their heats.
Team members were pleased with their performance, considering they were up against top surfers, including the British and European champions. The next event for the RN/RM squad will be the British Shortboard Interclub Championships next month, which in the past has seen the club represent the UK in European competition. Anyone interested in surfing should contact CPO Dave Burr at Culdrose 2207 or Lt Cdr Colin Pryde on Culdrose 2194.
The competition, held at RAF Cosford, comprised karate and taekwondo events. Special mention goes to Lt Cdr Mark Rogers, of MOD Abbey Wood, who put up a brave fight against the current Army and European taekwondo champion, finally losing on points. LOM Edgar (taekwondo), CPO Wilson, CPO Boyd, POPT Ireland and Lt Stubbs (karate) all fought their way to the second round of their respective competitions. The RN/RM contingent showed courage and determination in facing the well-drilled and well-prepared RAF and Army teams, and on several occasions managed to shock their opponents. But the lack of training and preparation in the Navy team eventually counted against them as the strength of the other Services proved too much. A number of competitors showed plenty of promise, and the Navy team now plans to train together at regular intervals to sharpen their skills in preparation for their next challenge. For more information on the Royal Navy Martial Arts Association, contact LPT Taff Davies at HMS Temeraire, tel 9380 25722 or 25721.
RNR teams share shooting prizes MORE than 140 members of the RN Reserve, representing ten of the 13 reserve training centres, competed in the RNR Rifle Association skill at arms meeting. Teams from HMS Ferret and the RNR Air Squadrons competed for the first time, and competition was tight between the units although there was a clear winner in the individual championships. PO Nigel Raddie (HMS Sherwood) won the pistol, rifle and combined event by a clear margin, but the team trophies were spread around the centres. Commodore Gerald Wood, Commodore RNR, presented the trophies. This year the reservists have reentered the inter-Service matches, and will be sending a full team to the US National Guard skill at arms meeting in Arkansas. RNR personnel who wish to be considered for the team should contact Lt Cdr Rex Thornborough at Cambridge URNU. Winners: Vulture Cup, service pistol individual, Whitehead
pistol: PO Nigel Raddie (HMS Sherwood); Thames Cup, service rifle individual: PO Nigel Raddie; Tyne Cup, individual combined (match points): PO Nigel Raddie; Viscount Elvedon Trophy, pistol team: HMS Sherwood; Duke of Westminster Trophy, Whitehead SA80 team: HMS King Alfred; Thames Cup, FIBUA SA80 team: HMS Vivid; Graham Cup, Roupell SA80 team: HMS Sherwood; Cock of the Fleet (match pts): HMS King Alfred; URNU championship: Cambridge URNU.
Runner defeats horse NAVY runner Mark Croasdalc has put his name in the record books in one of the most unusual events in the athletic calendar. Cpl Croasdale (RM Careers. Carlisle) took on a horse on a gruelling 22-mile course - and won. In a special race, held in tribute to Lord Suteh. a devotee of the race who committed suicide jusl three days after last year's event, the organiser invited a horse and rider to take on Mark, five-times winner of the foot race. And Mark picked up £1,000 b> being the first man in the 21-ycai history of the competition to beat his opponent. But he just failed to take an even bigger prize - the £21,000 on offer to the runner whose time was better than the other 15 horses. As the horses set off at staggered times. Mark had an agonising wait to see if he had succeeded - only to find that he had been denied by 90 seconds, the fastesl horse clocking 2hr 8min 39sei against Mark's 2hr lOmin 9sec. The course, from Llanwrtyti Wells in the Welsh Valleys, took in Drygarn Fawr Mountain and the Irfon River, and was ideally suited to Mark's fell-running abilities. The heavy rain made for treacherous going which the horses found tough, particularly the steep descents. Roama, Mark's opponent, alsc lost a shoe, which gave Mark the opportunity to forge a lead the horse was unable to close. Mark has vowed to return next year to claim the big prize.
BRNC take hockey cup THE WOMEN of Britannia Royal Naval College edged to victory in extra time of the Navy Hockey Cup final. After beating HM ships Seahawk, Nelson and Sultan en route to the final, the Dartmouth women faced HMS Neptune at HMS Temeraire. BRNC took the lead twice, but both times the Scottish team pegged them back, and at full time the score stood at 2-2. With both teams tiring, extra time proved hard going - but the dartmouth team made the most ol it, scoring twice more to win 4-2.
Portsmouth's winning lines PORTSMOUTH has won the inter-Command fly-fishing championships for the first time, beating teams from Devonport. Fleet Air Arm and the Royal Marines. Fished at the Chew Valle> Reservoir, near Bristol, the Portsmouth team - Capt Stu Ellins, Lt Tom Petigrew, CPO JJ Lloyd, PO Mark Glass and PO Scott Mitchell - caught 26 trout for a total of 63.051bs, beating Devonport (55.06lbs) and RM (40.061bs) into second and third places respectively. Fleet Air Arm were fourth with 29.08lbs. PO Nick Tomkins, ol Devonport, caught eight fish foi 22.081bs, and Mne Duke Elsworth eight fish for 20.081bs, but the solid all-round performance of the Portsmouth members gave them the team title.
Sheffield claim rare title CRACKSHOTS from HMS Sheffield have claimed a trophy last won by a ship's team more than 20 years ago. PO Frank Cannon, PO Ty Stock, OM Paul French and LWOM Alison Moore, on their debut, won the Orion Shield at the Plymouth and Scotland Area Rifle
Association meeting. The frigate's Commanding Officer, Cdr Tim Lowe, said: "Only a very few ships have previously won this event, the last being HMS Leander in 1977; it is therefore an outstanding achievement for my ship's team to win the trophy at the first attempt."