Page 61 - The Bugle Issue 12 Autumn 2016

2 RIFLES Rugby
The 2015-2016 rugby season began with 2 RIFLES promoted to Army Premiership 2 North following its clean sweep of the Championship the year before. This season was to prove as successful with 2 RIFLES remaining undefeated, winning ve from ve in the league and one friendly. Throughout the season 2 RIFLES played its usual exuberant brand of attacking rugby married with an aggressive, if at times disjointed, defence. Highlights included a gritty 15 – 0 away victory to ITC (C) and a thrilling, high scoring victory against the SDG, sealed by Rfn Hossack’s last minute individual effort.
Although we were unable to participate in the play-offs due to deploying on Ex ASKARI STORM, 2 RIFLES were still promoted given our unassailable position at the top of the league and the style with which we won the league. We start next season in Army Premiership One, where we will test itself against the best of British Army Rugby Union teams. Capt Hancock, Intelligence Of cer, 2 RIFLES
2 RIFLES PLAYED ITS USUAL EXUBERANT BRAND OF ATTACKING RUGBY
Mountain Biking Expedition – Mount Kenya
In keeping with the Battalion’s spirit the Rfn worked hard throughout the exercise and many were rewarded with a mountain biking expedition around Mount Kenya. This would allow them to see 250 km of Kenya from the seat of a mountain bike, encoun- tering elephants, rhinos, giraffes and lions.
20 of us set out on the ve day expedition cycling around the base of Mount Kenya, only 17 would return, once the sun had its way. After discovering that Mount Kenya is a lot larger than we thought, we began to cover the seemingly insurmountable 250km of cross-country cycling. Day one was tough as the rst 10km slowly ticked by climbing to the wildlife reserve. Despite the fact everyone else seemed to be in sturdy vehicles we cycled on. However, the scenery was epic and the ability to cycle around a wildlife reserve was worth the uphill struggle.
Three days in and despite the occasional sense of humour failure and a few sunburnt individuals we were making good time. Essential kit, we discovered
was sun cream and cycling shorts, nothing else mattered. The fourth day saw us getting stuck into some mountain biking skills and drills. Lots of tricky turns, climbs and dips for which I spent most of the time carrying my bike rather than cycling. The experienced members of the group were in their element scurrying away.
The nale saw a spirited and speedy race to a restaurant where we feasted on pizza and danger- ously sugary drinks. All involved felt a strong self of accomplishment as we worked out our overall mileage and looked at the maps of what we’d achieved.
Lt Wearmouth, ETS
DESPITE THE FACT EVERYONE ELSE SEEMED TO BE IN STURDY VEHICLES WE CYCLED ON
Casual elephant blocking the road
THE RIFLES
SECOND BATTALION 59
Lt Nattriss poses for a quick photo with mount Kenya in the background