Page 140 - RAPTC Mind, Body & Spirit

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SPARTANS RUGBY LEAGUE
SSgt (SSI) Kerman RAPTC
The RAPTC Spartans Rugby league team had another successful year in regards to the growth of the game within the Corps. This was the 3rd season of the new era of rugby league in the RAPTC. The regular faces donned
the Spartans Jersey on a 3 weekly basis throughout the summer season to play tough opposition. The new league structure saw the Spartans face the REME where they outplayed the opposition for 50 minutes of the game but eventually the strength in depth of the REME came through to take the win. The Spartans also played the Infantry who have a great heritage of Rugby league and
SSgt (SSI) J Kerman, UKAF vs Australia
ARMY RUGBY MASTERS
SSgt (SSI) D Bradley RAPTC
held them to a close game but as previously the
strength in depth came through for the Infanteers
to snatch the victory. The highlight for the
Spartans in 2017 was a great victory against the
AGC. Due to injuries and various commitments
this was the only fixture where the RAPTC Spartans had the pick off the best players and this showed with a great win to start the season. Special mention goes to SSgt R Slade – Jones who played his final season, SSgt Brimble who has recovered well from a MCL injury and SSgt Kerman who was selected for UKAFRL in the 2017 World Cup in Sydney.
The Army Masters Rugby Team recently toured Bermuda over the period 5 – 15 Nov 17. 5 RAPTC members were involved headed up by Maj (MAA) Boocock RAPTC (Team Manager). The tour consisted of 14 training sessions, 2 games, 2 remembrance parades and a couple outreach programmes to help coach and promote rugby to local schools.
The Head Coach WO2 (QMSI) G Slade-Jones RAPTC set the standard on the first day of training by developing the boys’ fitness on the beach. A hard 1st session, but the views were great. The first game against the Bermuda Barbarians was fast flowing and a little tougher than expected, after a close fought first 40 minutes the fitness paid off and we eventually won 46 – 25, with SSgt (SSI) R Slade-Jones RAPTC came on to score a brilliant individual try in
the 50th minute. It was clear that body management was going to be crucial for the over 35s, luckily the squad was supported by WO2 (QMSI) R McKenzie RAPTC as the tour ERI.
In advance of the second game the Bermudian team recruited 12 International players from Italy, USA and Canada. The game was very physical and fast despite playing in very poor weather conditions. The Army Masters were always in control of the game and cruised to a 36 – 21 victory.
The tour was a huge success and proved to be much more than just rugby, the Army Master’s hash-tag of “Competitive Ambassadors” set impeccably high standards and created a great reputation for the rest of the British Army.
Spartans RL Huddle
5 RAPTCIs on parade in Hamilton City, Bermuda All 5 RAPTCIs delivering “Youth Engagement” Remembrance Sunday service with Army Masters players and locals