Page 78 - Light Dragoons 2022 CREST

LD rugby has taken a departure from the ‘traditional’ season structure this year, reinforcing our regimental values
as a forward thinking and dynamic regi- ment. Ever since the COs’ announcement that Rugby would be amongst the ‘big 6’ regimental sports, the focus has shifted towards consolidating our position. As such we have refrained from playing fix- tures, avoiding losses, thus maintaining the morale of the team. Our energies have instead been poured into a rigorous train- ing package which will see LDs teams of the future building on very strong foundations.
The LD rugby training programme has focussed on low level skills, particularly ball and contact skills. Introducing new players to the basics of catching and pass- ing is no mean feat when old habits are already ingrained but all the new play- ers on the books are now performing far beyond their coaches’ expectations. Much work has gone into the concept of ‘lines of run’; that mixture of vision, speed and skill which allows an attacking team to confuse defensive lines. For many, this was merely old ground revisited. However, for a few the instinct to charge headlong into the fray is still overpowering. Training remains predominantly touch orientated to empha- sise tempo and the use of space, two ele- ments which in the English game can often be substituted for elementary bulldozing. The Regiment saw first-hand how refined the attributes had become whilst on ranges in Castle Martin. The inter Sqn touch tournament resulted in C Sqn emerging as victors after 3 hours of electric rugby, the only downside being the assortment of strained hamstrings posing on the touch- line. At the core of all our efforts though, is that rugby training remains fun and the swelling numbers each week are testament to success.
Though the LDs have had no fixtures this season, players have still been able to get away for RAC and Army level games. Lt Elkington has represented the RAC on sev- eral occasions. Tprs Flett and Hardy have both played for the RAC vs the Infantry in Catterick while Tprs James, Connolly and LCpl Fox have all attended RAC training
Lt Griffith gets lost on the way to ballet practice
The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
Rugby
camps down in Bovington. Capt Quicke also performed his swan song for the RAC down at Bovington, showing much prom- ise and flair in the warm-up but sadly not gracing the field with his presence for the actual match.
In Rugby League, the LDs continue to be strong and this year has seen numerous players, including many attached arms, selected for the RAC and army teams. There can be no doubt that training along- side the union team has benefitted the skills of these players and their continuing success is testament to this.
As the LDs come into the back end of the season, the weather promises long evenings of touch and rugby sevens, followed by a well-earned summer rest. With the train- ing that has been put in this season and the experience gained from representative fix- tures, the LDs will be in an excellent place as they return to normality in the autumn.
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Talking tactics
The Legion panic in the face of a strong Guards defensive line
SSgt Hodgson does his best Mr Bean impression
Lt Elkington and Tpr Hardy representing the RAC Rugby team
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