RAF U23 Inter Services Tournament Report

RAF U23 vs. RN U23. RAF Win 5-3

The RAF got more than they bargained for from a Navy team beaten convincingly by the Army the day before. Despite taking an early lead through skipper John MacLeod, the RAF let the RN back into the game. The RN pressure was rewarded with a well taken goal that drew them level. The sides then exchanged pressure and goals for the rest of the first half, with Gill and MacLeod both scoring for the RAF. The RN drew level on the stroke of half time to end the first period 3-3.

The second half started well for the RAF, with a sustained period of pressure allowing them to besiege the RN goal. However, the RN fought back and brought some pressure of their own, leading to Chris Partridge being sent to the sin bin for a mis-timed tackle on an RN forward. With the RAF reduced to 10 men the RN were in the ascendancy, battling hard as they tried to work an opportunity. Unfortunately, Tony Creig was then yellow carded for a desperate lunging challenge that left the RAF with 9 men!! It was at this point that the RAF started to play some of their nicest hockey of the match, the ball being moved across the midfield with speed and precision. No sooner had the RAF been restored to 10 men then John Macleod struck again with a superb diving deflection to put the RAF ahead. The rest of the game was all RAF, and the game was put beyond doubt when MacLeod scored his fourth, a superb strike from the top of the D that left the RN keeper no chance. Final score 5-3 to the RAF to set up a decider with the Army.

RAF U23 vs Army. Draw 5-5

The RAF stepped up for their second game of the day knowing that this was the tournament decider, with both teams having beaten the Navy, the scene was set for a superb game.

The Army got off to a quick start, building some early pressure on the RAF goal. This early pressure was soon rewarded as the Army took an early lead. However, this galvanised the RAF into action and, under the guidance of coach Danny Foulkes, the RAF began to play some superb flowing hockey. The ball was moved from defence to midfield at speed, allowing the RAF to build their attacks well. This pressure was rewarded with a penalty corner, which Ross Gill duly dispatched with a well placed drag flick. The next goal came soon afterwards as Gill scored a second, this time a well taken reverse strike that beat the keeper to his left. Nick Brocklehurst added a third soon after, deflecting in another Gill penalty corner. Just before half time, Brocklehurst was involved again when a looping run allowed him to place a cross into the path of Matt Brain, who only had to tap in to score his first and the RAF’s fourth. Half time score 4-1 to the RAF.

The second half was never likely to be as straightforward however, and it immediately became apparent that the Army would not be easily beaten. An early period of pressure was rewarded with a penalty corner, which was slammed home by an Army striker to begin their comeback. The RAF were now starting to show the effects of 2 games in one day, and the Army were moving the ball around beyond the tired RAF team. Two more goals followed to leave the game tied at 4-4 with 5 minutes to go. The Army intensified the pressure, and were rewarded with an opportunity to take the lead when Scott Edwards in the RAF goal saved one effort only to see the ball fall to another Army player, who placed his shot beyond Edwards’ reach. 5-4 to the army. It was at this point that a desperate RAF side began to play again. With time running out, Scott Welcher made a penetrating run through the Army defence, only to be cynically scythed down when through on goal. The Army player was dismissed, and the resulting penalty flick was dispatched with unerring accuracy by Ross Gill to complete his hat-trick. 30 seconds later the game was over, the final score 5-5.

The RAF won the tournament by virtue of the fact that they scored more goals than the Army. The games were both fast paced and of a high standard, which pays tribute to the RAF players’ fitness and skill. It is also a notable performance in that this is only the second time in 20 years that the RAF have won the U23’s competition. Huge congratulations to the players, especially those who were selected for the Combined Services U23 squad. We look forward to the same result next year!

RAF U23 Squad 2010

Plt Off J MacLeod (C), Sgt B Tomkins, Cpl A Johnson, Cpl B McCarthy, Cpl S Welcher, SAC A Flindall, SAC D McAdam, SAC T Creig, SAC D Cunningham, SAC R Gill, SAC C Partridge, SAC S Padgett, SAC N Brocklehurst, SAC D Stotesbury, LAC P Rogers, LAC M Brain, AC J Barnfather, AC S Edwards

Coach: Sgt D Foulkes

Manager: Flt Lt D Stanley

Players Selected for Combined Services U23 Squad

Plt Off J MacLeod, Cpl A Johnson, Cpl S Welcher, SAC N Brocklehurst, SAC R Gill, SAC T Creig, SAC C Partridge, LAC P Rogers, AC S Edwards.