Page 65 - QDG Year of 2022 CREST

56 -7 victory against Warriors
Other RAC units are welcome to play...
tion. QDG received an influx of rugby talent during the 2021/22 season. Tpr’s Hudson, Laverua, Ravonokula, Rokoua, Rosa, and Vunivosa all represented the RAC whilst in Phase 2 training. The RAC was able to advance to the final against the Infantry thanks to a combination of this new talent and the QDG players who were already well-known. Sadly, we lost 36-29 after a thrilling 80 minutes.
This current 2022/23 season continues with RAC comfortably ranked third in the league, keeping us in League 2 for next season. With Maj Dom Staveley as secre- tary, Andy Smith as manager, WO2 Gaz Roberts as DOR/Head Coach, and Cpl James Casey as captain, and providing at least 8 players per game, QDG continue to play a significant role in the RAC setup. Our commitment has been undeniable; in the match against Army Medical Services, QDG comprised 14 of the 23 players, leading to a 53-7 victory.
Outside of the Regiment/Corp, QDG players have also been representing civilian teams. Some players play social rugby for the local Dereham RFC. While the Fijian trio of Tpr’s Laverua “the Wizard,” Ravonokula, and Vunivosa recently joined financially thriving Norwich RFC. More established players are currently playing for higher level North Walsham and Bury St Edmunds.
This season, QDG have also been in full force at Aldershot, home of Army Rugby. In the U23s, players Tpr Levi Roper, Tpr Ravonokula, and Tpr Che Hudson, as well as coach Capt Will Simpson have been
Vuni and Rav running camp routine
involved in their inter-service build-up/ campaign. In the Men’s Senior XV Maj Jason ‘Bongo’ Davies remains influen- tial as a coach and kindly invited WO2 Gaz Roberts to gain experience as a coach. Cpl Rees and Tpr Vunivosa were successful at this year’s Army Trials and are currently training with the squad ahead of future fixtures. Again! Vunivosa has also had a busy summer representing a highly decorated Army 7’s team.
This year, the team would like to say goodbye to a few important members. Bill and Ben, aka Capt Hugo Chaplin and Capt Will Groome, with their childish bants; Hugo only appeared in 7s cameos, and Will still living off a fluke conversion he scored against the Defence Academy in 2019. Sgt. DJ,
a Springbok enthusiast who can play anywhere from 4 to 15, said his goodbyes to the military in style by playing games for the Army Rugby League team. Finally, LCpl Tyler Roberts, Daddy’s
Little Soldier, who has stood out both on and off the field for QDG & RAC. He
is strong defen-
sively and is referred to by
the opposition
as “that little cannonball.” He
can be heard shouting “BANG HIM!” from the
side-line. We won’t forget you dropping your pre-game pic’n’mix on the car park floor!
Even though QDG RFC was forced to withdraw from the Army Cup because of a busy Regimental FoE, the team is still ambitious and is looking forward to any friendlies we can fit in. The team’s repu- tation ripples through the Army, Welsh, and Norfolk rugby.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to sports, WO2 Gaz Roberts received the Gomer Lloyd trophy to cap off another exciting QDG RFC year; for his ongoing support of the Corps and Regimental Rugby teams, where he was a key player and coach.
Regardless of what propaganda the Football team pushes out, Rugby remains the main sport and heartbeat of
the Regiment!
GR
I promise this is my last game