Page 66 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2018

64 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN)
Sports & Adventure Training
Rugby
With the majority of the Regiment away for the start of the season the first run out was to be Exercise Hodson’s Horse in November. The Regiment entered into both disciplines, Union and League with the latter kicking off on the Monday afternoon. It is safe to say that this is not played regularly by the majority of the team but after some hasty practice under the watchful eye of Lance Corporal Wilkinson and Corporal Foster we were able to grasp the basics. A close draw with the RTR followed by a narrow loss to the ARMCEN team set us up for second place once we thoroughly defeated the Household Cav- alry. The team stepped up and outmuscled all teams we faced in a herculean effort, with credit to those who had not played before.
Next up was the more familiar Rugby Union which followed a similar pattern with a narrow loss to the RTR, a convincing win over the Household Cavalry and then a final battle against a dominant ARMCEN. The final game was a classic test with the team giving their all after a tiring three days in tricky condi- tions however ARMCEN came out the victors, with The Royal Lancers securing second place once more. Our thanks go out to all those that turned up to support the competitors. A special mention must go out to Trooper Cornforth who stormed down the wing in the final game to score a blinder of a try.
In the last week before Christmas leave the annual battle of the Titans commenced in Officers vs Seniors held on neutral ground at Richmond Rugby Club. Upon arrival the Officers were quick to notice a rather small pitch had been selected favouring the
2018 Ex Hodson’s Horse Team
Regimental Sergeant Major demonstrating a perfectly legal tackle
more upfront style of rugby employed by the Seniors. Neverthe- less the mighty Seniors’ squad and the miniscule Officers’ team faced one another to do battle, to victor to entitled to bragging rights for the next year. The following sixty minutes were a phys- ical, emotional, bloody, teary eyed melee during which Lieuten- ant Titcomb decided a broken nose was the best way to escape the pitch and Sergeant Nagorski squealed loudly whenever he came into contact. The score line remained untouched until the last ten minutes of the game when swift handling down the blindside secured five points for the Officers’ Mess. This was to be the only score of the game and is the closest fought game in recent mem- ory, played in good spirit with festivities continued post-match.
The season will continue in the New Year with games lined up against local Regiments where no doubt the Regiment will be gloriously victorious. In addition Regiment has contributed well to the Corps rugby team with a good number being available and regularly playing. In addition Captain Marriott and Lieu- tenant Batterbury were selected for the RAC team entered into the Rugbytown Sevens Tournament held in Denver, Colorado, USA where they faced a multitude of professional sevens teams, something which probably had been underestimated in entering said tournament. However the team improved throughout the tournament against far quicker, talented and hairier opponents, and once knocked out were able to enjoy the other delights the city had to offer. Fingers crossed Lancers will be making the teamsheet for 2019.
RSB
Captain Marriott terrifying the opposition in Denver
Sergeant Marsden, Captain Marriott, Trooper Foster and Lt Batterbury representing RAC