Page 9 - Eagle Eye Autumn 2022
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The Talon Cup
by Cpl James Hann
The Talon Cup is an annual football match hotly contested between the RAF intelligence community’s two largest organisations and has over 20 years of history.
After the last two iterations were cancelled due to the COVID19 pandemic, on the 6 July 2022, for the first time since 2019, teams from 1 ISR Wing and NGCI met to contest the fixture. 1 ISR went into the game as the current holders while NCGI were looking to win the trophy back on their home turf.
Cpl Luke Foss led a team of 18 from across 1 ISR Wg with players from Aldergrove, Digby, Waddington and Wyton turning out for the Wing on a very warm and dry day in Cambridgeshire. The game would be split into three thirds of 30 minutes due to the weather with penalties at the end if needed.
At 1400 the game kicked off and the 1 ISR team appeared to take control of possession and the game in the early minutes. However, a long ball and some quick play by Talon Cup veteran Steve Davidson put Aaron Males through on goal and suddenly, against the run of play, NCGI were 1-0 up inside the first 10 minutes. Despite some good possession the 1ISR team failed to produce many chances
before the whistle blew at the end of the first third.
The middle third started similar to the first with 1ISR dominating possession and appearing to control the game. Despite this though, the NCGI team managed to double their lead with another rapid counterattack finished coolly by Aaron Males undoing the 1ISR defence. Shortly afterwards though their lead was halved as 1ISR were finally rewarded with a goal from Isaac Kaye shortly before the end of the second third.
The younger 1ISR side appeared to have the tired NCGI side on the back foot at the start of the final third, however, experience seemed to prevail as once more, against the run of play, Aaron Males managed to score
a third for NCGI, completing his hat trick. Shortly after he once again managed to find his way through the 1ISR back line to net his fourth of the afternoon.
Despite some great performances from the 1ISR team, in the end it was the experienced NCGI side who took home the Cup with a decisive 4-1 score line. OC 1 ISR Wg, Wing Commander Sefton handed over the Talon Cup to Steve Davidson, the captain of the NCGI team as a disappointed 1 ISR side looked on. For many though it was their first taste of a rivalry that dates back many years and next year 1 ISR will get a chance to exact revenge when the fixture is played back at RAF Waddington.
RAF Wyton Youth Club
by Denise Barr
Summer activities this year were a little different, we did not have as many hours as normal but we managed to put on some great sessions. We had lots of activities including tye die T-shirts, baking, sports, residentials, laser tag, Climbing, Spy missions and Water games.
Additionally, after I saw a message on RAF Wyton wives page asking for fruit for Johnson’s farm to help feed their bears, I spoke to our youth group to see if they would be willing to help! They thought it would be a great idea to pick the fallen apples and pears up from outside. We contacted Johnsons to ensure that they did need the fruit and they said they would love it.
All our young people participated, we sorted out the rotten apples and threw
them and only took the best for the bears. We have now taken fruit up three times.
It has been lovely to help keep these beautiful bears fed, it has helped to keep the areas outside of the youth club clean and will help to deter the squirrels!
All in all, a great project.
We have places for new members: • Tuesday Ben club ages 5-7.
4pm – 5.30pm
• Tuesday Inters school year 7 plus
6 – 7.30pm
• Wednesday Juniors ages 8 -11
4.30 – 6pm
• Wednesday Seniors ages 13 plus
6.30 – 7.30pm
Please contact Denise Barr by email:
denise.barr@ymcatrinity.org.uk
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