Page 38 - MERCIAN Eagle 2019

Tug-of-War
Another successful season for the tug- of-war team. It started well as we travelled up to Catterick for the opening league event, where we picked up two trophies in the 640Kg and 680Kg. We then continued in the same vein throughout the season, but due to team restrictions we could only compete in the 640Kg category. This only strengthened the team and we ended the season as the league champions. Our season ended at the Braemar Highland games where we finished 3rd, narrowly missing out competing in front of Her Majesty the Queen.
A huge congratulations to Ptes Bramley, Lee and Swindley, LCpl Morris and WO2 Howdle who showed their talent by being selected to compete for the Army and gain their Army colours. Sgt Wood was put forward to compete for the combined services where he won two gold medals. This year we say farewell to WO2 Howdle who was a founding member of the TOW team. He has been integral to the team with his selfless commitment; an inspiration who has pushed us in the right direction and has passed on his knowledge to all the team. We wish him all the best in his new role.
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Sport and Adventure Training
Adventurous Training
The battalion has driven adventurous training this year, building on successes last year to establish ourselves competitively. After winning the Infantry downhill skiing championships last year, a new team departed with Lts Olive and Arnold in December to try and retain our title.
The Nordic skiing team as well, who achieved great success in their first
ever runout last year, have flown out to Sweden with Lt Keenan and Cpl Kelly to establish ourselves further in the Infantry championships. Though it’s not just skiing that lads have been on, with hillwalking in Bavaria, parachuting nearby at Netheravon, or Kayaking in Inverness, soldiers have been able to make the most of the opportunities afforded by a career at 1 MERCIAN.
The mountain biking team goes from strength to strength, driven by Lt Cockle, CSgt Goodwin and Cpl Cox. Training
every Wednesday, and beginning to attend competitions, they are setting the conditions for continued success next year!
Ex BAVARIAN EAGLE
November saw soldiers from the battalion fly out to the stunning Bavarian Alps to conduct a week’s walking in the mountains with Lieutenants Olive and Connor. Staying at Haus Magnus on the Austrian border they had a week doing some demanding hillwalking and bagging peaks, improving their fitness at altitude and taking in the amazing scenery.
Kayaking
The Mortar platoon also took the time to get amongst some Adventurous Training, with Sgt Percival taking a group kayaking up in Inverness in July. Despite being in the summer, the Scottish water wasn’t exactly warm that far north!
THE MERCIAN EAGLE