Page 87 - QDG 2023

1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
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Field Sports
QDG fieldsports in 2023 was one of the busiest of recent times. Along with the annual Officers Mess shoot there were various shoot days organised by Jono Beatson-Hird that were a huge success. The fishing on Holkham Lake, belonging to the Norfolk Fishing Club was used more than ever by both Officers and Soldiers alike.
Fishing
The QDG Officers Fieldsports Fund purchases two rods from the Norfolk Fly Fishing Club and this year saw no exceptions. The lakes are just a short walk from camp and provide rainbow and brown trout fishing which is fantastic to fill some time in an evening. Some great fish were caught by many members of the QDG but best fish- erman of the season goes to Lt George Webster, mainly because he has a beat covered in flys but also because he catches quite a lot of fish!
Milborne Wick, Dorset
On the 6th Nov and the 18th Dec a number of QDG officers, past and
Capt Maltman: Did you know I’ve done the Sniper Commanders Course?
present met for a days shooting in Milborne Wick, Dorset, organised by Jono Beatson-Hird. Both days were a huge success! Not only were they fantastic fun for those involved but it was a great to meet some new faces. We even had the pleasure of having one of our NATO allies that Lt Walsh met when deployed on Ex DIAMOND- BACK join us for the day.
Officers Mess Shoot
As we have done on previous years, the Officers Mess enjoyed a fantastic day of shooting on the Hoe estate that surrounds us at Robertson Barracks. I’m the usual fashion we were picked
up in the gun trailer and moved off to various drives around the estate. Some great sport was had by all with Capt Ben Maltman taking the highest bird of the day but it was rather a shame that he insisted on wearing his ‘sniper platoon commanders’ baseball hat in the process. The commanding officer shot well (so he says) and those that partook for the first-time last year managed to bag more than their fair share of pheasants.
At the end of the day we retired to the mess to celebrate Burns night, hosted by the PMC. A fantastic day as per usual Ed had by all.
EJC
Army Senior XV 2023
Since the enforced break during COVID, Army Rugby has bounced back stronger than ever. The first year back saw two QDGs in the coaching set up, with Rob Jones overseeing the forwards and Bongo Davies overseeing the backs. The 2023 season said goodbye to Rob as he left the Army and as with any sport big shoes must be filled. We went full steam ahead, and a new look coaching team and new players caused a quick turna- round, meaning we made it back to the field much quicker than expected!
The season has slightly changed due to funding which is to be expected but
the quality of opposition hasn’t changed to prepare the team for the Inter services campaign. Exciting times for QDG over the past two seasons which saw QDG coaches fully embedded into Army Rugby - a testament to the fact that the QDG have and always will lead the way within the RAC when it comes to Rugby Union.
The season has been frenetic and started with an open trial to identify any new talent within the Army. Once final- ised, it then had 3 development games to whittle down the squad but to also identify any talent that could move up to the senior squad before moving onto
Inter Services selection.
Moving forward, there are games
against Cambridge Varsity, Oxford Varsity and the French Army and a training camp in Cardiff. You heard right; in true QDG style we are back in Maindy. Personally, I have waited years for Portugal but Cardiff Met and Maindy will have to do for this year. Post training camp we are then into inter-services month. RAF at Kingsholme and then the Navy at Rugby HQ. In between the annual Mobbs memorial match will be played against Northampton or Bedford. This year it was Bedford.
Hopefully, there will be some familiar faces in the crowd at Gloucester and Twickenham. It’s been a long journey but an exciting journey from playing to coaching and getting the opportunity to coach international and premiership quality players. The opportunities as a coach and a mentor have been amazing and just having the opportunity to be involved with Leicester Tigers and Harle- quins has only reiterated why Rugby Union is a great sport to be a fan of, not only as a fan but as a pathway for the future. The opportunities that have been afforded to individuals as players and coaches are memorable. Long may it continue.
JD