View Photos Kindly provided by Sqn Ldr Colin Gillan

RAF Spitfires Commemorate Armed Forces Day with Help for Heroes Charity Tournament in Bath

Armed Forces day was commemorated all over the country on 27th Jun, and the RAF Rugby 7s team played their part by participating in a charity Sevens competition at Bath University in aid of Help for Heroes. It was a glorious sunny day in the west country, and some 64 teams had come from all across the British Isles to participate in this competition, and to help raise money for this worthy cause. The RAF team was entered in the Open Group, which featured well established squads from across the country, and within their group they were pitted against teams such as the West Country Cavaliers and Exiles 09.

First up were the Exiles 09, and a good start from the boys in blue saw a great break by Nick Monahan down the wing to then break back inside and score under the posts to give the RAF an early lead. This was followed not two minutes later by Nathan Jones, who broke a tackle in the centre of the pitch to get across the line, only to trip and fumble the ball before touching it down. However he made up for it a minute before halftime, when he managed a great interception from which he ran the full length of the pitch to score under the posts, giving the Spitfires a 14-0 halftime lead. The second half started much as the first with some strong play across the centre of the pitch, Rory Wood stepping back to reposition, when he spotted a gap and ran it in to score. The RAF kept the pressure on for the rest of the half, and with only a minute on the clock John Hall chipped ahead, over the defence and cleverly scooped up the ball to run the final 15 yards to score. Final score, RAF Spitfires 28, Exiles 0.

The second match was going to be a much more tricky fixture against a strong and very experienced West Country Cavalier side, where most of the players hail from Bath Academy. The RAF team start off well and makes steady progress into the Cavalier half. Several West Country errors eventually lead to a RAF scrum to the line. The ball is pasted out to Nathan Jones on the wing, who pulls his hamstring but still manages to pick up a loose ball and hobble over the line to score. The Cavaliers come back strongly and eventually find a gap in the middle of the pitch and run it in from their own half to bring the scores back to level. Some good work by Scott Garret allows the RAF to break forward as far as the Cavalier 22 but the opposition intercept the ball and pass it out to the winger who goes on to score. The RAF fight back strongly but unfortunately a forward pass to Colley brings the first half to a close.

The Cavaliers start the second half strongly and their winger breaks around the outside of Cranwell’s James Woodcock who valiantly chases the winger down and tackles him on the line. Unfortunately the winger manages to reach forward and score. Woodcock regains the initiative with a brilliant break and chip – the Cavalier’s hold the ball on the ground and from a subsequent penalty Tim Barlow breaks through to score under the posts. Again, from the kick-off, the Cavalier’s start well, however a brilliant tackle by Stafford’s Rory Wood forces the Cavalier’s into touch. The Cavalier’s force an interception from the lineout and break away to score. Some excellent play subsequently by Jon Hall allows the RAF to gain some ground and eventually Rory Wood picks up a loose ball and runs the full length of the pitch to score in the corner. Final score RAF 19, West Country Cavalier’s 26.

These results put the RAF Spitfires into the quarter finals of the shield where they were drawn against the Covenant Boys, an all South Sea Island team of considerable stature and experience. It’s a close battle up front but the RAF defensive line holds strong. They regain possession and an excellent chip and chase allows Tim Barlow to run the ball in under the posts. From the following kick-off Honington’s Jon Hall regains possession and passes the ball out to Nick Monahan who runs it in to score. Again, some sound defensive work from the Spitfires allows them to wear down their opposition and a superb break through the centre allows Waddington’s Jono Colley to score, giving the RAF a 21-0 lead at half time. The Covenant Boys kick off the second half and the RAF are penalised for holding on to the ball. However, the Covenant’s knock the ball on from the subsequent scrum and are pushed back into their own half. The RAF defence does a magnificent job but stalwart Scott Garret dislocates his finger. All the play is now in the Covenant Boy’s half and Nick Monahan is unlucky to be tap tackled just before reaching the line. The last move of the match is a brilliant tackle by Rory Wood forcing the opposition into touch. Final score RAF Spitfires 21, Covenant Boys 0.

Up next are the Legionnaires - they have featured strongly thus far and unfortunately the Spitfires are now carrying three injured players into this semi-final. The RAF kick-off and the Legionnaires move the ball up the pitch chipping the ball over the defence. It’s a race for the line but the Legionnaires are quicker and score. From the kick-off the opposition regain possession and manages another two scores before half-time leaving the RAF three tries down. The Spitfires start the second half strongly but both sides are now feeling the pace and an unlucky knock-on from the boys in blue allows the Legionnaires in to score a fourth try. The RAF are determined to get on the score sheet and some good play between Scott Garret and Benson’s Angelo Flammia allows Angelo to break through the middle and score a consolation try under the posts. Final score RAF Spitfires 7, Legionnaires 26.

Another semi-final finish for the RAF who have improved steadily throughout the season against increasingly talented opposition. Bath will now become a regular fixture, being held on Armed Forces day each year, and the RAF will be keen to return again next year, with the intention of improving on their performance this time round. With two more major tournaments in July, the squad is going from strength to strength, as players develop their sevens skills. This should benefit RAF rugby in the main and hopefully this continued experience throughout the summer will allow the senior 15-a-side squad to reap the rewards in the new season.