Page 43 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

Rugby
The 1 RIFLES rugby season kicked off with a good squad mixture of young and returning seasoned players. With the bulk of players tied down with Battalion duties abroad, especially Op SHADER, it was an opportunity for both uncapped and returning players to represent the Battalion on the eld.
The team competed in a tough Premier 2 competition, with teams from 2 YORKS, RMAS, 8 Bn REME, Scots DG, 1 RRF and ITC Catterick. All of the xtures were played away and this affected team preparation and trying to get players released to play. Despite all the constraints and dif culties, we were able to qualify to the semi- nals, with 3 wins and 2 losses. Most of the xtures were very close fought games, besides the very complete performance against 1 RRF with a commanding win of 61-10. With successive pool xtures, a few of the players were called up to represent the Infantry: Rfn Taylor (6 RIFLES), LCpl Tooth (B Coy), LCpl Roberts (B Coy), CSjt Navunisaravi (HQ Coy), Sjt Admans (S Coy), and Rfn Barratt (C Coy).
1 RIFLES welcomed Gloucester Rugby Club community coaches for a week to prepare for the semi- nals. Mr Terry Fanolua and his crew took the team through a tough week of training and professional coaching clinics. This was a great motivation for the side, enabling us to display a well-structured and technical performance against the RMAS side wining narrowly 22-21. The army nal xture was con rmed with 1 RIFLES playing 8 Bn REME, having lost to them narrowly 25-20, it was a chance to put the records straight. Team preparation for the nal was another gruelling week with the Gloucester RFC community coaches and support from the new CO, Lt Col Baker. With all the hype and tension off the eld favouring the opposition, 1 RIFLES rugby team were ready to unleash havoc on the pitch. The team played an outstanding nal winning 31-10. Rfn Maka played exceptionally well with his massive calves tearing through the REME defences to earn the man of the match award. 1 RIFLES quali ed for the Army Premier 1 league next season and restored The Ri es’ rugby bragging rights. With outstanding performances from individual players, LCpl Tooth and Rfn Barratt were called up for the Army A selection team.
The rest of the season turned attention to preparation for the Ri es Gathering. Five of the Battalions were represented over the course of the trials, hosted by Gloucester Rugby coaching staff. There was a lot to accomplish in coming together as one team for the match played in Allianz Park, home of the Saracens RFC, with the opposition from East London RFC. Despite horrible condi- tions the side captained by Sjt Admans played expansive rugby demolishing the gallant East London barbarian’s side, with an astounding 52-5 victory. With a new and challenging season to look forward to next year, preparation has already begun with a rugby tour to Canada in Sep 17. CSjt Navunisaravi,
CQMS HQ Coy
MOST OF THE FIXTURES WERE VERY CLOSE FOUGHT GAMES
Uzbekistan STTT mentors patrolling at Forrish Training Area
Football
Over the last 2 seasons 1 RIFLES have not played regular football due to operational commitments and the general pace of life. To that end the aim of the 16/17 season was to rebuild the squad, compete competitively on a regular basis and enter the Army and Infantry cup. The enthusiasm displayed when I took the rst training session in September 16 was good to see and it was clear there was a lot of raw talent. We soon had a squad of 35 players which was extremely encouraging.
The team was entered into Southern league Western Division 1 where we were pitted against a mixture of units between Bath and Yeovilton. We trained hard early season which payed off as we were soon producing some excellent performances, the only frustration being that we were not able to eld the same starting 11 throughout the season due to courses, exercises etc, but due to the depth of the squad we were able to eld a competitive team for each match played. We nished the season top of the league gaining promotion to the Western premier league. This will be a stern test for the 17/18 season but one the whole squad is looking forward to.
It has been a great season overall, winning some silverware being a massive bonus. There have been some outstanding performers like LCpl Patrick Thomas who has played brilliantly all season and our Captain LCpl Mike Heele who has been our most consistent performer. We have also had Cpl Smith and LCpl Wakely representing the Infantry FC on a regular basis, with LCpl Wakely nishing the season as top goal scorer.
As I am leaving the Army in August I am con dent the team will continue to do well in the coming season. My thanks to all the players for your support this season and good luck for the future.
WO2 NJ NESBIT, Ops WO
THE RIFLES
FIRST BATTALION 41