Page 72 - Bugle Autumn 2014

Army Cricket, St Lucia
After spectacularly exaggerating his cricketing talent over a social pint or two, the author found himself part of the REME Cricket Club pre-season tour of St Lucia. Based out of Rodney Bay, a fifteen-man squad would play five games over two weeks against the best
amateur talent the
island had to offer.
required for the loss of only two wickets and with fully six overs to spare!
Not to be disheartened, the REME XI were rewarded with a victory in their third game. Dennerry CC struggled on a damp wicket to post a total of 141 all out from
21.5 overs. The tourists completed a 5-wicket victory in 27.5 overs. Gros Islet was again the venue for an unlikely victory in the fourth game, as The Islanders fell 13 runs short
chasing the REME CCs 153-5 from their 20 overs, securing an unprecedented second victory on tour for the REME.
The final game took place at the Beausejour Stadium, home to the Royal
The distinctive and idyllic Caribbean backdrop to the tour.
St Lucian Police Force, comfortably their highest standard of opposition. The hosts batted first and posted an imposing total of 226 for 6 from 35 overs. In reply REME CC fell 33 runs short for the loss of 9 wickets.
From unlikely beginnings, the tour was
a fantastic opportunity for a Rifleman masquerading as a REME cricketer. It was wonderful to be part of such a venture, and I am glad to have featured in the scorebook of a record-breaking tour!
Lt Tom Legge, A Company
The touring side
made an inauspicious
start, being bowled
out at Choiseul for a
paltry 135 in reply to
the 295 for 4 posted by a Select XI from their allocated 35 overs. It didn’t improve significantly from there, as the floodlit Twenty20 fixture held in Gros Islet finished with the hosts reaching the 117 runs
I am glad to have featured in the scorebook of a record-breaking tour!
Ex SNOWBADGER
Classic conditions allow for a timeless photo opportunity.
Ex SOARING BUGLE
In March, Ex SNOWBADGER took 147 Riflemen on a ski expedition to Tignes, France to conduct a myriad of ski foundation adventurous training activities. Members from five of the battalions submitted Chosen Men (and in some cases women) for the expedition, covering all levels of experience, of whom many had recently returned from Op HERRICK 18. The exercise was focused on beginner skiers and novices. However, Ski Foundation Level Two and Three training was also delivered, with ski touring and top end alpine coaching for those in need of a challenge. From getting down blue and green runs for the beginners to the sport, to the overnight alpine hut experience for the ski touring students, all levels were worked hard and enjoyed a wonderful time on the slopes. Skiing offers Riflemen many disciplines as an adventurous training pursuit, from learning the art to off piste skiing, alpine racing, ski touring
and then leading onto mountaineering. Ex SNOWBADGER was a tremendous success, and a wonderful opportunity for members from across the Regiment to meet and mingle, while conducting demanding and challenging adventurous training.
Capt Jonty Kennon, HQ Company
Exercise SOARING BUGLE was a skydiving expedition run throughout April aimed at introducing a team of Riflemen to the sport and qualifying them to the standard of Advanced Freefall. This involved an intensive and progressive training
whilst in freefall with general manoeuvre, happily executing barrel roll exits, 360 turns, forward rolls and tracking. The experience was made all the more authentic as a result of us needing to camp on the dropzone,
programme run in
the sunshine state of California under the watchful eye of Maj Alex Wilson, OC A Coy (Des).
The Riflemen took to the skies like ducks to water
which provided a perfect setting to wind down from a busy day’s jumping with a BBQ and a cold beer to enjoy the sunset. A few days R&R towards the end of the expedition
Keeping it regimental at terminal velocity.
displayed by the Riflemen throughout, the noticeable frowns on the return flight, but also tellingly on the commitment shown by many to pursue the sport back in the UK. Lt David Stirling, R Company
The Riflemen
took to the skies like ducks to water and demonstrated an ability to fall in style. Each student clocked up over 40 solo jumps which allowed them to become competent
were spent exploring the sights and beaches of San Diego and Los Angeles.
I measure the huge success of the expedition by the level of enthusiasm
70 FOURTH BATTALION
THE RIFLES