Page 63 - The Cormorant Issue 14

ACSC 14 Sports Day
Lt Col Marcus Elmhirst
On the 6th October the newly formed ACSC 14 stepped out in its four Divisions to do battle on a Wednesday afternoon. A wide variety of sports were up for grabs, ranging from the familiar mili- tary starting event of Tug-Of-War, to the eclectic Table Tennis and the more gentlemanly golf. Each Division put a team into each of the eleven events with volunteers to begin with and pressed men and women shortly thereafter. The Tug-Of-War was a rous- ing start and some Divisions had clearly, and rather unsportingly, practiced beforehand. This advantage soon ended as despite the fine sky, the wet grass rapidly became a mudslide leading to twenty grown men writhing around at each end of a rope, desperately trying to catch their footing. Inside the Table Tennis was over quite quickly with Lt Col Hu from China dispensing all comers in a flash and showing everyone how it should be done. Volleyball, Badminton and Basketball were played with a mixture of speed height and skill; all making for exciting and sometimes very close competition.
The hockey and football produced most injuries, reminding every- one that you are never too old to give your all on the sports pitch. A decent concussion was the worst injury and several exploded noses and skinned knees left a predictable trail of blood and skin on the Astroturf as minds were willing but bodies not as young as they used to be. Yet there was also significant skill involved and it was marvellous to see the old ability and enthusiasm had not been left behind with the speed and naivety of youth. Wis- dom and modesty had taken their place, not least with Sqn Ldr Lucy Newcombe hiding the light of her 1998 Commonwealth Games silver medal for hockey firmly under her bushel until the end of the afternoon! However, hers was not the only revela- tion; it is heartening to see how many county level players for all sports end up as Commanders and Lieutenant Colonels in the British military. In the 5-a-side football part of the competition, it was perhaps predictable to see so many international officers from Austria, Germany, Japan, France and others doing what the
Tug-Of-War – B Division before the mud set in
rest of the world does best and showing the British how football should be played!
The most remarkable spectator sport for the afternoon was the final event, the row-off in the central Forum. All four Divisions, each manning a rowing machine in a first-to-2000m race. Any number of rowers, with changing optional at any time. A simple first-to-finish race. So, the Forum became a screaming bear pit for four intense minutes as bodies were thrown on the line and, once broken, were thrown on the scrap heap as another took their place.
In the end A Division emerged as the winners with D Division hot on their heels. It was an excellent day thoroughly enjoyed by all and a superb ice-breaker in the year we are all to spend together. The spirit of enthusiasm, bonhomie, good sportsman- ship and participation has stayed with ACSC 14 throughout the whole year and, like all those before us, will no doubt remain with us beyond our year at Shrivenham.
The ACSC 14 Cricket Challenge – The Foster’s Cup
By Wg Cdr Alex South
Contrary to opinion, the greatest struggle on ACSC 14 was not staggering under the weight of Purples. Rather, it was the battle between the British and International Students for the Foster’s Cup. Over two tense Twenty/20 matches, the British cricket team overcame the challenge of the Internationals. And what great sport it was!
The first match took place on a fine evening in early October. Set a challenging 112 to win, we set about our challenge with gusto and a breezy performance with bat and ball by man-of- the-match, Wing Commander Al Antrobus saw us home with a fine 6 and 4 off the last 2 balls. This was a fine answer to the deliberate provocation from the Australian contingent, desperate to put England off their stride prior to the Ashes! They failed.
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