Generation game

Red wall: Cpl Kris Chorley (R Welsh, right) hangs on as Army U23 teammate Gnr Kenny Dowding (7 RHA) puts in a big hit on an advancing Brive A player
Picture: Brive Rugby Club

THE Army’s dominance of Services Rugby Union looks set to continue after the Reds’ academy side battered their military rivals in 2008.

After losing the Inter-Services championship in 2007, the Army Under-23s proved their potential in last year’s tournament by defeating the Royal Air Force 19-9 and hammering the Royal Navy 34-9.

Both wins were achieved without conceding a try and coaching team WO1 Billy Bragg (RLC) and WO2 Dai Davies (R Welsh) were happy to see their emphasis on stopping the opposition pay off.

“I see defence as a major strength with this squad,” said Bragg. “We have worked hard on it all season and we can pride ourselves on our record.

“The system we have adopted works very well, but that is because the guys themselves have bought into it. Our pack tends to grind the opposition down and our transition into attack is so quick that we score a lot of points on the break.”

The dominant Inter-Services performance was not entirely unexpected after the age group side’s early-season form.

After easily dispatching the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, and the city’s University, the Army were only narrowly beaten by the budding professionals of Worcester Academy in front of a four-figure crowd at Sixways.

The Reds then stepped up a gear in their annual match against Cambridge University. The prestigious institution’s pedigree usually ensures a close encounter, but the students were no match for the Army and conceded 47 points en route to a demoralising defeat.

“Cambridge always produce good sides and the strength of this squad was no different,” said Bragg. “We just played with a lot of confidence and took the game to them and they couldn’t cope with it.”

With plenty of match practise under their belts, the U23s put the finishing touches to their preparation by attending a conditioning camp hosted by top French club Brive.
During a tough week of training, the soldiers picked up match-winning advice from the club’s English contingent, which includes Andy Goode and Steve Thompson.

A practice game against Brive’s A team rounded off the week and Bragg believes the hard work put in by his players was a major factor in their Inter-Services success.

“The boys were doing three or four sessions every day, but the result was that they were fitter and stronger than ever before,” he said. “It’s the second time we have been there and we have a very good relationship with Brive.

“We can’t thank them enough because it was a massive boost to us.”
With earning a place in the senior squad the ultimate goal for many of the U23 players, the amount of up-and-coming talent bodes well for the future.

Skipper and player of the season LCpl Dave Bates (R Signals) is an imposing obstacle at number eight, while players’ player of the season Spr Gus Qasevakatini (RE) has the pace and guile needed to excel at full back.

Fly half Tpr Roko Rokodugni (Scots DG) and second row Cpl Kris Chorley (R Welsh), the man-of-the-match winners for the RAF and Navy games respectively – have also been tipped to make the grade at senior level.

But despite some outstanding individuals, Bragg told SoldierSport that the U23’s success was built as much on teamwork as it is on solo brilliance.

“I think these boys are superstars,” he said. “They are a pleasure to work with and they are always willing to put the extra effort in. Dai and I also owe a lot to our chains of command because without them we would not be able to run this team.”

Brive Rugby Club is offering discounted tickets for serving soldiers. Contact Keith Charge at keith.charge@cabrive-rugby.com

NEW players are invited to help the Army women’s cricket team reclaim the Inter-Services title in 2009.
The squad emphatically won last year’s Twenty20 competition, thrashing the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force in June, but stuttered to a disappointing defeat against the Senior Service in the 50-over tournament.
Now manager Maj Ruth MacGill (AAC) wants fresh talent to attend two pre-season training events being held at Dummer Cricket Centre, near Basingstoke, in the coming months.
The skills sessions, which take place on Thursday, February 26 and Friday, February 27 and Thursday, March 2 and Friday, March 3 are open to players of all standards, especially newcomers to the sport.
For more information, contact MacGill on 94329 4711 or email ruthmacgill@googlemail.com

BUDDING boxers can stake their claim for a place in the Army women’s squad at trials in Germany this month.
Team managers Lt Lydia Ratcliffe and Sgt Kelly Morgan will run their eye over trialists during the week-long event, which starts on Monday, January 19 at 2 LSR’s boxing gym at Princess Royal Barracks, Gutersloh.
The trials are open to anyone regardless of experience and those picked for the squad could get the chance to represent the Army at the Amateur Boxing Association’s national championships in June.
Boxers who make the team are able to improve their skills by entering a full-time training programme at the Army Boxing Association’s headquarters at Maida Gymnasium in Aldershot.
For more information, contact Ratcliffe on 0049 05241 843266 or email lydiar@armymail.mod.uk
Morgan can be contacted via email at 5310morga@armymail.mod.uk

THE Combined Services women’s ice hockey team are looking for new players to strap on their skates for the outfit’s first season.
Since forming last summer, the team has attracted nine players from the Army and the Royal Air Force and tackled its first training session at Gosport Ice Rink, in Hampshire,
before Christmas.
With player abilities ranging from complete newcomers to seasoned skaters, the squad makes full use of experienced coaches including Army Blades trainer LCpl Rob Taylor and AAC manager WO1 Stu Girdler who help to develop stick handling, movement and puck control.
New players are always welcome regardless of pervious experience. For more information, contact LCpl Anna Gailey on 95551 7217.