NAVY NEWS, AUGUST 2011
47
Things go all Wight for kayakers THE Royal Navy Kayak Association teamed up with the Portsmouth Region Adventurous Training Centre and HMS Temeraire for a weekend Joint Service Sea Kayaking expedition to the Isle of Wight. The flotilla of sea kayaks was made up from a broad spectrum of Service personnel including Cdre Wayne Keble (MOD), Cpl Liffen Gordon (RM Chivenor) and Pilot Officer Oli Hymas (RAF Wyton). In total there were 15 participants including three instructors. The demand for places far outstripped the available instructors and is evidence for the growing popularity of sea kayaking. The instructors were Lt Cdr Joe Wood (OC Victory Squadron, MWS), WO2 James Batchelor (RM Bordon) and CPO Joe Shelverton (RNAS Culdrose). Thanks must go to the event organiser Lt Oli Fairbairn (HMS Somerset) for his significant efforts in planning the event. Capt Burrell (Defence Academy), RNKA chairman, also took part in the expedition and was delighted with the weekend and the multitude of demanding, but fun, activities. The expedition developed navigational skills, weather interpretation, collision prevention, coping with challenging sea conditions, team control and emergency situations. The team crossed the Solent twice, once in a challenging sea state and at the other end of the weekend in reduced visibility. Sea kayaking is also a great activity for developing aerobic and muscular fitness and those on the expedition certainly felt physically tired but personally fulfilled by the end. Thanks must also go to John Saunders (DQHM) for a final update on traffic and environmental considerations in the area and WO2 Bachelor for booking Jersey Camp on the IOW – a great venue to operate from over the weekend. The RNSC on Whale Island was used for the debrief and to review the successes of the weekend and the less glamorous tasks of washing/returning kit. For more information on sea kayaking visit www.RNKA.co.uk.
Two trout to shout about
WARREN ‘Mal’ Malcolm wa crowned Scottish fly fishing champion for the third year in a row. He was one of 20 anglers who took part in the Scottish Command open at the Lake of Menteith in the Trossachs. The weather was good, warm and overcast, but the hot and humid weather of the previous week had forced a lot of the fishing into deeper water. A few early fish were caught by Sgt Stu Law and WO Barry Prout and as the day progressed the Roman Bay shore seemed to be producing the majority of fish and many of the anglers took full advantage of the rich pickings tight in on the shore. Other ‘hot’ sites were Gateside Bay and the Rookery with most trout caught on red and black buzzers, red diawl bach, red cormorant and blob patterns. Best novice went to HMNB Clyde chaplain Rev Richard Rowe; WO Prout won best fish with a rainbow trout of 3lbs 8oz; runner-up was Sgt Law of Aberdeen RN careers office; and Mal’s two winning trout came in at 4lbs 11oz. Mal said: “The conditions were hard going but I didn’t think two trout would have been good enough to win the award for a third year in a row. I feel on top of the world.” Thanks to the Glasgow Angling Centre for donating £200 worth of prizes and to Lake of Menteith staff for their hospitality.
Épée epic for Somerset Picture: Sgt Andy Malthouse, DMC(RAF)
Rain thwarts Lord’s double
CPL Ash Watson thrashes his bat in disgust while a delighted RN cricket captain ET(WE) Matt Thompson (HMS Astute) celebrates the airman’s dismissal on the hallowed turf of Lord’s at the InterServices Twenty20 championships.
Sadly for the RN – defending champions – the rain and the RAF thwarted their hopes of retaining the trophy. Under leaden skies the holders opened proceedings against the RAF; the sailors and marines set a challenging target of 148 off 19 overs (under the Duckworth-Lewis method), thanks largely to an impressive 73 not out from new cap Mne Rob Urrman. The Royal Air Force reached their target in 18 overs for the loss of four wickets, although RN skipper Thompson returned figures of two wickets for 18 runs off four overs. After that narrow defeat, the RN looked to defeat the Army – only for the gods to intervene. Rain meant the match was cancelled, both teams were awarded a point and all hope vanished of the Senior Service holding on to the trophy. It was eventually lifted by the RAF. When the rain stopped, the final T20 clash between the airmen and soldiers was played, with the former dismissing the latter for a mere 104 to win the match by 38 runs. Away from Lord’s, the ladies’ T20 championship was contested at RAF Vine Lane, without the RN team playing a single game together all season. In the first match of the day, the RN took on the reigning champions the Army and it was clear that our ladies were short of match practice, writes Lt Cdr David Cooke, Secretary RNCC. Against tight bowling from the Army, only Lt Hazelle Garton RN (Heron) (50) and Lt Cdr Charlie Atkinson RN (Collingwood) (24) made any significant contributions, the RN only scoring 117-6 in their 20 overs. In reply the Army took 15 overs to reach the total and finished at 119-2, with England squad member A Potgeiter finishing on an unbeaten 61. Defeat meant the RN were pitched straight into the second match against the RAF – on paper an easier task. Batting first, the RAF could not get to grips with the varied Navy bowling attack and after 17 overs the RAF had been dismissed for 97 runs, Garton taking 1-7 (4). The RN’s response was swift: Garton in particularly impressive form and her 62 not out secured a comfortable win for the RN by 9 wickets in 16.5 overs. The final match between the Army and RAF
was a rather one-sided affair. The Army batted first and scored 162-3 (Potgeiter 86 not-out) and then kept the RAF at bay restricting them to 86-7 (20), winning by 76 runs – and taking the IS title. Lt Garton was awarded the ‘player of the tournament’ for her all-round performance. In Portsmouth, the Inter-Command championships took the form of a round-robin. On paper, Portsmouth, Naval Air and Royal Marines looked strong, but there were pleasing performances from all five teams. For Portsmouth Adnams scored a 48 and 55, Green (Daring) a thunderous 250 not-out against Scotland – which must be some sort of record in this form of the game – and 38 against Plymouth, Jackson took 8 wickets and Lee 5. Plymouth all-rounder Parker scored a useful 63 and 55, also taking some wickets into the bargain, while Snelling scored an almostmatch-winning 49 against Portsmouth. Pick of the Scotland side was Navy skipper Thompson who took 3-26 and scored 89 in their victory over Plymouth. A depleted RM team enjoyed comfortable victories over Scotland and Plymouth, but lost against Portsmouth and Naval Air. Many spectators’ favourites Naval Air played extremely well until they suffered a surprise loss against Plymouth. Fittingly the last match of the competition between NAC and Portsmouth produced a very good final. Portsmouth posted a healthy 152-5 (Buss 54, Adnams 28, for NAC Storey claimed 2-15 (4) and Rose 2-25 (4), which set a challenging target for the Air Command. Air never really got going; only R Williams (46) and Rendle (26) making any significant contribution and as a result succumbed to 132 off their 20 overs, giving Portsmouth victory for the second year in succession. Also at Burnaby Road, holders HMS Nelson faced RNAS Culdrose in the final of the 2011 RN Knockout Cup. Culdrose skipper CPO JJ Walker won the toss and invited Nelson to bat, a decision he was soon to reflect upon as the Nelson captain and opening bat AB M Green plundered all bowlers to every corner of the ground, one shot even landing in the tennis courts behind the scorebox. Green blasted 94 runs in just 47 balls in an opening partnership of 122 – a remarkable innings. After he had been dismissed there were useful contributions from J Mayer 29, A Bulze 28 and S Adnams 24 and a total of 240 looked a secure one for the Portsmouth team. Culdrose did not get off to the best of starts, losing 2 wickets in the first two overs for one run, however P Amplett 38 and JJ Walker, who batted very sensibly for an impressive
58, steadied the ship and with J Strachan 38 still there near the end, the airmen edged steadily towards their target. When Strachan was dismissed however, victory looked a tall order and with 31 to win off the last over a task perhaps too much. Culdrose eventually finished on 223-6 (35), 17 runs short, a valiant effort after such a poor start. Seven new caps were awarded to RN U25 cricketers at Aldershot at the start of the 2011 Inter-Service U25 cricket festival. On Day 1, the RN played the RAF and found themselves fielding in warm but overcast conditions. The two RAF openers were in particularly good form, both scoring half centuries. Despite U25s skipper Matt Thompson ringing the changes with his bowlers, seam and spin, he could not break down the RAF innings that finished at 260-8 (50). Thompson 3-29 (10), AET P Rose (Yeovilton) 3-40 and AET T North 2-16 bowled well and took the wickets. The Navy’s batting response left a lot to be desired – poor choice of shots, unnecessary run-outs, not helped by excellent RAF bowling and fielding resulted in the Navy collapsing to just 68 all out, Rose making a hard-earned 24. The second day brought the Army and Navy together and after Thompson won the toss, he elected to field. What a difference a day makes! The Navy bowlers worked tirelessly, reducing the Army to 127-7 – wow. A record 8th-wicket partnership between Lewis 114 and Douglas 44 not-out, hoisted the Army to a massive 297 all out. AB D Thurgood (Montrose) 3-55 (10) was the pick of the Navy bowlers. Chasing that target, the Navy top-order batsmen started well: ET(WE) S Jennings (Neptune) 65 not out, Thompson 61 and ET(WE) I Buss (Daring) 59, setting a solid foundation however the middle order could not capitalise on it and eventually fell 52 runs short at 245-9 (50). It was a much-improved effort from the first day, but the team were kicking themselves for letting the Army off the hook. On the final day, the strong-looking RAF side comfortably beat the Army team to justifiably become 2011 U25 Inter-Service champions. And finally... A UKCC level 2 cricket coaching course will take place at Temeraire from October 24 to 28. This is an ideal course with which to acquire initial coaching qualifications and caters for cricketers of all abilities. The week includes instruction and assessment with the qualification being awarded to successful candidates on completion. The RN has six slots on the course, first come first served, all interested should contact Lt Cdr Cooke on 02392 723741 or rnso4@ fleetfost.mod.uk.
SAILORS from HMS Somerset acquitted themselves well in the Forces annual fencing competition. The Inter-Service contest was hosted by the RAF in Cosford, with two shipmates from the Type 23 heading up from Devonport: Lt Emma Bould, (deputy weapon engineer) and PO Mark Needham (pictured above), avionics technician on the ship’s 829 NAS Merlin flight. The women’s competition consisted of teams of two fencers per weapon. Lt Bould and LNN Vicky Thomas convincingly defeated the RAF in the opener, winning all four fights and Lt Bould had only one point scored against her. Despite defeating the RAF, the Navy eventually lost to a strong British Army performance. The women were placed second overall, winning the épée and third in the foil. PO Needham and his team fought a hard match against the RAF and the British Army but lost to both.
Tee and tea for BRNC
PERHAPS not quite in the same league as the performance of Darren Clarke at the Open, but there was nevertheless an excellent day’s competition at Dartmouth Golf and Country Club in the annual Royal Navy versus VT Flagship Masters. The day started with rain and fog – even though it was midJune – but the spirits of the 23 competitors were not dampened as they started to tee off for the 18-hole stableford competition. Drawn from Service and civilian staff at BRNC and HMS Raleigh, the lowest handicap on the fairway was a six and the players represented a range of golfing experience. It was just the second time this competition has taken place. Individual winner from VT Flagship for the competition was George Freemantle, who is normally found in charge of the Naval Stores complex at BRNC. “The whole day was played in excellent spirit,” said George. “There was good rapport and banter between both organisations and establishments and without doubt it was a good day all round.” The fog lifted and the rain stopped before noon and all the competitors were impressed with the excellent condition of the course. By the end of play it could be seen that it was a closelyfought match with VT Flagship winning overall by just six points. To complete the day there was a celebratory lunch and prizegiving. Cdre Simon Williams, Commodore BRNC, returned from the assessed basic leadership exercise on Dartmoor in time to make the presentations which included a crystal ship’s decanter to the winning VT Flagship team.