Page 59 - The Bugle Issue 12 Autumn 2016

2 RIFLES Football
Since July 15, the football team have trained hard to prepare for the Walter Tul Cup and the Infantry sixes. The Infantry sixes at Aldershot, was a great oppor-
tunity to see the new talent and gauge where we need to focus our tactics. We were unbeaten in our group, but due to goal difference we did not progress to the knock out stages.
The team then entered the Walter Tul Cup (Infantry Cup); our rst opponents were the Irish Guards. The game was played in Hounslow, so the squad travelled by plane for the xture. This was our rst competitive game for some months, but due to the many hours on the training ground we were able to win 2-1. There were many players who could have been awarded man of the match, Rfn Smith (‘Smudger’), Cpl Edwards (‘Eddy’) but Rfn Caws’ energy and aggressive tackling ensured he stood out from the rest.
With con dence high we headed back to Thiepval knowing that we would face the Welsh Guards in the Quarter Finals, however Askari Storm would halt the momentum. On an early Sunday morning the squad assembled for the day ferry heading to the mainland as the xture was played at ATC Pirbright on the 12th April. The game against the Welsh Guards was a hard fought battle with all the ingredients a game should have, commitment, discipline and good sports- manship. The Welsh Guards however settled quicker and struck rst after 10 minutes through a defensive mistake. The next 35 minutes were frustrating as we had plenty of shots on goal, but their goalkeeper was able to prevent the ball from crossing the line. Before half time and after another attack on the Welsh Guards goal, Sjt Deano Hemmings smashed a 35 yard strike into the top corner, which enabled us to regroup in changing room at 1-1.
The second half was de ned by 2 more defensive errors which increased the Welsh Guards lead to 3-1 which they managed to hold with 10 minutes to play. Super-sub Sjt Steve Lyons came on for team Captain, CSjt Easty Eastwood who was struggling with a groin injury. Sjt Lyons picked up the ball on the half way line and with head down drove with purpose towards the
Welsh Guards penalty area. He unleashed a left foot thunderbolt, which the goalkeeper could not handle, so we were now 3-2 with approximately 3 minutes to play.
One more chance came our way deep into Injury time, Sjt Deano Hemmings had the ball at his feet and glided past two defenders before a strike on goal, which beat the keeper, but was blocked on the line by an outstretched leg from a defender. The referee blew the nal whistle of the game and our time in the competition for this season. Again there we lots of individuals who were outstanding on the day LCpl Denton, Rfn Hudson, Rfn Caws, Sjt Hemmings and Rfn Smith. But for his tireless battling and desire to win Rfn Hudson was the Ri es man of the match.
Looking back, the team played exceptionally well, and conducted themselves immaculately, on and off the eld of play. The team also has three established Infantry players, LCpl Denton, Rfn Hudson & Rfn Hannaford. Infantry trials will take place in July 16 and we hope to have a few more names on the squad list. Capt T North, OC MT Platoon
HE UNLEASHED A LEFT FOOT THUNDERBOLT, WHICH THE GOALKEEPER COULD NOT HANDLE
THE RIFLES SECOND BATTALION 57