Page 48 - 1RHA 2022

1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
WOs’ & Sgts’ HENRY VC MESS WO2 (AQMS) W Shaw
The mess has had a good year following post COVID restric- tions. The Christmas ball organised by AQMS Shaw and his team found that their efforts were second to none, provid- ing extravagant decorations, delicious food but also the evening entertainments with the event going through into the early hours of the morning with the majority of mess members still taking full advantage of the event.
Due to priority deployments it at been voted that the mess would hold back on this year’s normally placed functions and conduct a later event as many members would not be able to attend. SSgt Robinson and his team though, with a much smaller budget due to many mess members being deployed were able to provide the summer function with a great success. Entertainments including an electronic bull and a fire breather with a BBQ style dinner of which was a huge hit. Though the summer function was at a reduced budget than normal it was a tremendous success and all efforts in the organisation and planning showed with all mem- bers enjoying the night.
The mess also had the opportunity to contribute towards sev- eral sporting events. Sgt Stickland attended the AGC Clay Target Coaching Exercise which was held in Cyprus. Over an intense 11-day course, she among others had the opportunity to be coached by the Army team which was very beneficial when she took part in the Army clay target championships. SSgt Kemp attended an overseas sports tour to New Orleans and Miami in the United States of America with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) Football Association (FA) con- ducted over 13-25 May 22. During the tour both teams played two games against top international opponents resulting in a win of 6-1 against New Orleans and an unfortunate loss of 0-3 against Miami Utd FC.
The Mess also had the pleasure of the Brigade Commander addressing the mess on plans for DRS and what his vision holds for each unit withing the Brigade. Allowing the senior soldiers to be able to answer questions and to pass down knowledge of what the future of the Regiment holds.
The mess welcomes new members and congratulates those cur- rent members who have also received promotions.
on a rectangular pitch, much to the consternation of cricketing purists such as Lt Barlow.
After the toss, the Officers’ Mess were up to the crease. After the quick loss of Lt Newnham’s wicket, Capt Haycocks and 2Lt Wick- ing formed a stable, if not a little pedestrian partnership, scor- ing a respectable 32* and 34* respectively. However, after these retirements, the Officer’s Mess middle order collapsed quicker than a CP tent in midwinter. Due to a 5-wicket haul from SSgt Curran and the blistering pace of Sgt Daniel, the side was dis- missed with little to no reply. This Warne/Lee-esque partnership, led to such blunders as Capt Jobbins running out Lt Leigh on his cricketing debut in a startling display of self-preservation, and Capt Barraclough confidently dancing down the wicket only to misjudge a cutting googly, which sent his middle stump tumbling into the rectangular outfield. There were some shining moments however and note must be made of the RCMO’s boundary, mark- ing a promising start to his cricketing career and making him the teams 3rd highest scorer, with 4 runs. The Officer’s mess finished the session at a respectable 168-9.
After a short break for refreshments, the WOs’ and Sgts’ Mess marched into bat. Deemed an outsider to start, WO1 (RSM) Mat- thews proved to be a limpet at the crease, frustrating many a junior officer in their attempts to remove him. After a conservative start the innings, the dreaded duo of SSgt Curran and Sgt Daniel reappeared, having transformed in McGrath and Gillespie, intent on pasting the bowling side around the oblong boundary rope. At some point, midway through the innings, it was announced that the WOs’ and Sgts’ Mess were approaching the target run count with alarming velocity, much to the confusion of the Officers’ Mess who had almost assumed victory. Some among the Offic- ers’ cohort felt that their bowling was being rather more rigidly analysed than their NCO counterparts, and perhaps due to the multiple dropped catches by bowler/umpire WO2 (BSM) Heggie. Regardless, sportsmanlike conduct prevailed, and the WOs’ and Sgts’ Mess earned the winning runs in the final over courtesy of none other than Mr Heggie.
Officers’ Mess
WOs’ and Sgts’ Mess
Bdr O’keefe Sgt Bdr Stevens Sgt Bdr Heard Sgt Bdr Kelshaw Sgt Bdr Jackson Sgt Bdr Watts Sgt
Sgt Belfon SSgt Sgt Kenward SSgt Bdr Brown Sgt Sgt Ellenor SSgt Sgt Robson SSgt
Lineups:
Lt Newnham Capt Haycocks Capt Jobbins Lt Leigh
Lt Barlow Mr Davis
WO1 (RSM) Matthews Sgt Daniel
WO2 (BSM) Heggie Sgt Jacques
2Lt Wicking
SSgt Curran
Capt Barraclough
Sgt Heard
Capt Davis
WO2 (RQMS) Faulkner
Officers to Seniors Cricket 2Lt A J Wicking
Wednesday 14th September 2022 is a day shrouded in infamy, for it hosted perhaps the most important day in the 1 RHA Sport- ing Calendar, Officers vs Senior Cricket. After a rigorous selection and training regime, which would have made Flintoff and Ander- son wince, Captains Davis and Barraclough must have felt confi- dent of a strong result. On an unseasonably temperate Septem- ber afternoon, the Arcot Road Cricket pitch was transformed into The Oval. Only in name however, because for added complexity and to inspire greater sporting prowess, the match was played
This year has showed that since the post COVID restrictions the mess, even with many being on deployments is in full swing and returning to full capacity and coming together once more.
Capt Carter
SSgt Markham
Capt Bulmer
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