Page 13 - Bugle Autumn 2024

2 RIFLES
Sharpshooters – Army Operational Shooting Competition 2024
A little later than anticipated, the 2 RIFLES shooting team began its journey to the Army Operational Shooting Competition (Bisley) in March due to earlier operational commitments. We qualified amongst a strong field at the 1UKXX OSC with just a week’s training. We then completed a very swift and bold three week build up package in Ballykinler. The team covered points of aim at every position and distance before shifting focus to learning the complex shoots.
Arriving at Bisley in June, our main effort was for two individuals to fall inside the Army’s prestigious ‘Top 100.’ This is achieved by scoring over 60% throughout the individual competitions and coming within the top 100 within an incredibly strong field. Reading the results on the first day was a stern reality check to the standard of competition shooters within the army. Remaining high spirited, the team
pushed on, competing as individuals, fire teams and as a section.
Placing any of our individuals within the top 100 was proving difficult when the scores came out day-after-day. Nonetheless, on
the final day, with some excellent shooting,
the top 100 leaderboard was released and showed LCpl Barnes (A Coy) coming 88th and Rfn Nudds (A Coy) claiming the
final spot, at 100. The rest of the team did themselves proud shooting
confidently and maintaining high spirits, having had a fraction
of the preparation time other teams enjoyed.
The team had an amazing month training and competing,
contributing to our core skillset as Riflemen. We look forward to analysing the lessons learned from Bisley to enable greater success next year and we look forward to working closely with the Regimental team to develop
our marksmanship.
Lt Harvey Dinkele
OC 5 Platoon, B Company
LCpl Barnes and Rfn Nudds made The Army’s ‘Top 100’
2 RIFLES Shooting team. Shoot straight and run fast!
RUGBY
Having now completed our second year in the Army Premiership, the highest standard of rugby available outside of the Army and Corps teams, 2 RIFLES had certainly begun to find its feet within the league. It was clear to anyone with an eye for talent that, when it all came together, we were a force to be reckoned with. But like any Infantry Battalion, it was the challenge of getting us all together that proved the hardest, but we didn’t let that deter us!
Several no-shows from certain red coat regiments meant there was a lack of rugby towards the end of Op INTERFLEX, yet we climbed the table higher. With no-one brave
enough to travel to Northern Ireland, in true
2 RIFLES fashion, we pressed on and made every effort to travel away. This resulted in, after some controversial rugby politics, an opportunity for silverware. We travelled away (shock) to 1 ROYAL WELSH where a close encounter saw victory snatched from us, meaning we missed out on the Army Cup final. However, the Army Plate was still up for grabs which saw 2 RIFLES travel down to Aldershot for the final. Our opposition were 17 P&M who we had beaten 20-18 earlier in the season
so we knew what was coming. With one of our best performances in the early stages, we looked set to dominate but unfortunately
Pre-scrum tactics talk
Breaking the line
the Army Plate was still up for grabs
discipline and certain refereeing decisions saw our victory slip away with a last-minute penalty; 17 P&M winning 33-31.
Whilst we weren’t successful in our hunt for silverware, the team is in a great place. With
a lot of young talent coming from Riflemen joining us this season, it’s a great sign of things to come. Two individuals making it
into the Senior Army Men’s team. Ex HARAKA STORM this year will put a pause on our Premiership journey for the 24/25 season, but we will return fighting fit and better than ever! Lt Mike Mizzi, 2IC, C Company
RIFLES The Bugle 13