RAF Involvement in the National Water Polo League 2008

LAST SECOND AGONY FOR RAF WATER POLO TEAM

The RAF commenced its first season of competition in the National Water Polo League (NWPL) since 1966 with 2 matches at Ponds Forge International Pool in Sheffield at the weekend.

The RAF’s opening fixture saw them take on City of Newcastle. Newcastle quickly established a 2 goal lead; however, this served as a wake-up call and the RAF started to dominate and a brace of goals from the energetic Cpl Si Almond soon levelled the scores. The RAF team settled into their game plan and with Sqn Ldr Stu Belford put in a strong performance on his return to the RAF set-up and Fg off Matt Chapman orchestrating the play in attack they looked likely to build a solid lead. Newcastle had other ideas and each time the RAF crept a goal ahead they were pegged back, leading to a half time score of 5-5. The RAF kept up the momentum as the game moved into the 3rd quarter and mid-way through the period they led 8-6 following a long-range effort from SAC Dai Jones. Unfortunately, as the game drew into the latter stages Newcastle’s greater NWPL experience began to tell. A hotly-contested goal following a time-out drew the scores level and a further Newcastle strike saw them ahead by a single goal at 3 quarter time. The final quarter was disappointing for the RAF as the pressure exerted by Newcastle led to a number of possession turnovers and subsequent breakaway goals. Despite a late goal from the soaring Flt Lt Rich Elford, the final scoreline read 14-9 in favour of Newcastle. RAF goalscorers: SAC Dai Jones and Cpl Si Almond (3 goals each), Fg Off Matt Chapman, SAC Andy Huckle and Flt Lt Rich Elford (one goal).

The following day, the RAF looked to put the previous day’s disappointment behind them when they took on fellow league newcomers Grantham. Once more the RAF fell behind early only to draw level at the end of the 1st quarter. The RAF defence was being well-marshalled by the formidable presence of Fg Off Ben Durham and assisted by a penalty save from goalkeeper Flt Lt Chris Jones the RAF led 5-3 at half time. When Dai Jones completed his second hat-trick of the weekend with another trademark booming shot, the RAF held a 7-5 lead as the 3rd quarter ended. As the game entered the final quarter the RAF still looked the stronger team. A well-drilled move in a man-up situation resulted in Elford maintaining the RAF’s two-goal lead at 8-6. Grantham would not lie down and a couple of quick fire goals saw them draw level at 8 goals apiece. As the game entered the final minute the real drama was only just beginning. Superb defensive work by the evergreen Sgt Dale Jacques – blocking two goal-bound shots when the RAF were defending a man-down had seemingly secured a draw for the RAF. However, in a last ditch attack a fortuitous rebound fell to Grantham player to score with just a single second left on the clock. Even then this dramatic finale had one final cruel twist for the RAF – from the re-start RAF Captain SAC Andy Huckle launched a searing shot from inside his own half that found the top corner of the Grantham net only for the match officials to decree that the final hooter had already sounded. RAF goalscorers: SAC Dai Jones (3 goals), Fg Off Matt Chapman, Cpl Si Almond (2 goals each) and Flt Lt Rich Elford (one goal).

Despite clutching defeat from the jaws of victory in both games, Skipper Huckle remained positive:

‘The results from this weekend do not tell the whole story. We can take immense pride from the fact we competed so well in our opening games; we have proven we can be a force at the National level of the game. We will learn from this and take the lessons forward into our remaining fixtures’

The RAF take on City of Cambridge, Manchester Hawks and Swindon Dolphin in the next round of NWPL Division 4 fixtures later this month. Follow the team’s progress at www.nwpl.co.uk

RAF STILL SEEK FIRST WIN OF NATIONAL WATER POLO LEAGUE SEASON

After losing the first 2 fixtures of the season 3 weeks ago, in somewhat unlucky circumstances, the RAF Water Polo team went into the next round of fixtures seeking their first win of the season. The team faced 3 tough matches at Ponds Forge in Sheffield, against City of Cambridge, Manchester Hawks and Swindon.

The first game of the weekend pitted the RAF against the previously undefeated City of Cambridge. Unfortunately, the RAF started badly and trailed 4-0 at the end of the 1st quarter. Whilst the RAF players upped their work-rate and fought in vain to get a foothold in the game, with the dragon-hearted SAC Dai Jones to the fore, they never recovered from this poor start; the well-drilled and experienced Cambridge side gave the RAF a lesson in attacking play and finishing. The final scoreline was a crushing 23-6 in favour of Cambridge – the RAF were well-beaten despite the tireless efforts of the windmill-armed Flt Lt Steve Brassington and the effervescent Cpl Si Almond. RAF Goalscorers: Fg Off Matt Chapman (3 goals), SAC D Jones, Flt Lt Brassington, SAC Andy Huckle (one goal each).

The next day the RAF took on Manchester Hawks – a feeder team for Manchester’s NWPL Division One side that contained several GB Junior players. Following some soul-searching and frank discussions and bolstered by the presence of the experienced duo of Flt Lt Trev Down and Sgt Dale Jacques (who were unavailable the previous day), the RAF team started strongly and imposed themselves on the energetic Manchester side. The RAF had built a 2-1 lead at the end of the 1st quarter with the wing play of Wg Cdr Damian Orton and Flt Lt Rich Elford being well-rewarded. Over the next 2 periods the match was extremely tight – the RAF defence was holding firm with Sqn Ldr Stu Belford putting in a commanding performance in the centre of defence whilst being ably supported by the stoical Fg Off Ben Durham. As the match went into the final quarter Manchester had edged into a 6-4 lead. As in previous games the RAF team could not sustain their performance into the final period; despite several last ditch saves from the vociferous Flt Lt Chris Jones in goal and a first NWPL goal – a trademark bounce shot - from Flt Lt Barney Polden, Manchester stretched their lead and were victorious by 12 goals to 6. RAF Goalscorers: SAC Huckle (2 goals), Fg Off Chapman, Flt Lt Elford, SAC D Jones and Flt Lt Polden (one goal apiece).

The final game of the weekend spelled danger for the RAF as their opponents, Swindon Dolphin were undefeated and topped the table alongside the Cambridge side that had well-beaten the RAF the previous day. Buoyed by their performance, if not the result, against Manchester, the RAF team was determined to put in a solid display and welcomed back speedster SAC Ben Kingshott following his bone-breaking exploits during the Summer. The first quarter saw the RAF play their best polo of the NWPL season thus far. The enigmatic Fg Off Matt Chapman went through his whole repertoire of talent – scoring and making goals with apparent ease as the RAF shocked their opponents by building a 5-2 lead. The highly-fancied Swindon team – featuring several big names in British water polo - had to dig deep to stay in touch with the RAF and resorted to numerous tactical changes in an attempt to beak down the RAF defence. Swindon pegged the RAF back to draw level, but the RAF stayed in touch; team Captain SAC Andy Huckle finding his goalscoring touch with a hat-trick of clinical finishes. The overwhelming attacking force of the Swindon side started to take control of the game and the Wiltshire club had pulled away to lead 16-10 at 3-quarter time. Many in the crowd expected the RAF to capitulate in the final quarter; this was not to be the case as the pride effort and of the team shone through. The RAF finished stronger and got within touching distance before a late goal saw Swindon breath a sigh of relief as they won 19-14. RAF Goalscorers: Fg Off Chapman (8 goals), SAC Huckle (3), Flt Lt Down, Flt Lt Brassington and SAC Almond (one each).