RAF Water Polo Team Results

18 Jan 08 RAF 5-2 City of Cambridge, RAF 5-4 South Derbyshire

9 Feb 08 RAF 7-10 South Derbyshire

4 April 08 RAF 9-11 South Derbyshire

5 April 08 RAF 8-15 Warley

17 May 08 RAF 6-14 Warley

Inter-Services Preperation Matches

25 Jun 08 RAF 9-8 Folkestone

28 Jun 08 RAF 20-1 Niederkrutchen (Germany)

29 Jun 08 RAF 11-8 Hellas Glanas (Netherlands)

1 Jul 08 RAF 8-10 Sheffield

2 Jul 08 RAF 5-12 South Derbyshire

Inter-Service Championships

5 Jul 08 RAF 10-9 RN

7 Jul 08 Army 6-13 RAF

National Water Polo League (NWPL)

6 Sep 08 RAF vs Newcastle (9 -14)

7 Sep 08 RAF vs Grantham (8 - 9)

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 <http://www.nwpl.co.uk/>

27 Sep 08 RAF vs Cambridge (6 - 23)

28 Sep 08 RAF vs Manchester Hawks (6 - 12), RAF vs Swindon (14 - 19)

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).

11 Oct 08 RAF vs Bedford (6 - 12)

12 Oct 08 RAF vs Bristol Uni (6 - 17), RAF vs Weymouth and Portland (11 - 15)

25 Oct 08 RAF vs Swindon (3 - 22)

26 Oct 08 RAF vs Cambridge (3 - 11)

RAF off the mark in NWPL

The RAF Water polo team recorded the first win of its NWPL Division 4 campaign with a nail-biting 9-8 victory over Grantham at Basingstoke.

The final match of the weekend presented the RAF's best chance of breaking their duck - the youthful Grantham side sat just above the RAF in the table. Minutes before the match got underway Flt Lt Rich Elford had to pull out of the team. This could have unsettled the RAF game-plan; however, after falling behind to an early goal the RAF dominated long passages of play and it was no surprise when the ever-improving SAC Ben Kingshott smashed home an emphatic equaliser. Another swift move saw Flt Lt Matt Chapman calmly pace the ball in the Grantham net to edge the RAF ahead. Even at this early stage, the RAF were committing several major fouls and from one of the ensuing 'man-down' situations Grantham drew level at 2-all. The RAF upped the performance level in the 2nd quarter and moved ahead with goals from Chapman (whose positive mental thinking was bearing fruit), the live wire SAC David Jones and the effervescent Flt Lt Steve Brassington. The RAF held a 5-3 advantage at half-time, although with Kingshott already out of the match having picked up 3 major fouls, the game was clearly still in the balance. The second half started poorly for the RAF and the lead was quickly eradicated and they found themselves behind following a costly distribution error from goalkeeper Flt Lt Chris Jones. In previous matches the RAF had not managed to recover after losing a lead; undaunted, the team showed they were up for the battle and regained a single goal advantage going into the final quarter following strikes form the well-preened Cpl Simon Almond and Chapman. The final quarter of the match proved to be one of the most dramatic passages of play of the season. Grantham drew level following another man-up scenario and then had the opportunity to go ahead when they were awarded a penalty. Keeper' Jones redeemed his earlier error by saving the penalty - this proved to be turning point as the RAF regained the lead shortly thereafter. Even then there was more drama to come as the number of major fouls conceded came back to haunt the RAF - with 4 players excluded from the match the RAF had to play out the majority of the final quarter with a bare 7 players, 3 of whom had committed 2 majors and were therefore walking a disciplinary tight-rope - if any of them fell-off the team would have to finish the game in a constant man-down situation. Not surprisingly, with the RAF defenders unable to commit fully in man-on-man battles for fear of picking up further majors, Grantham found the space to score an equaliser. With scores tied at 8-apiece it was left for Flt Lt Barney Polden (fresh from receiving the coveted Stu Marshall Trophy at the RAFSA Annual Dinner) to score the winning goal with a rasping bounce shot. The defence then held firm - with the experienced Sqn Ldr Ian Chesworth displaying calmness under pressure. At the final whistle the relief amongst the RAF players was clear to all - having come so close in several games the Team finally had league points as a reward. Goalscorers: Chapman (4 goals), Kingshott, Almond, D Jones, Brassington and Polden.

The first two fixtures of the weekend had taken the RAF's winless streak to 12 games. Despite playing well and matching a strong City of Newcastle side for 3 quarters, the RAF paid the price for a poor second period and lost the match 14-8. The RAF goals were scored by Chapman (3 goals), Elford (2), Kingshott, Polden and Fg Off Ben Durham (one goal each).

The RAF then took on Manchester Hawks, who were fielding a strong team, bolstered by the appearance of several GB Junior players. The excursions of the hard-fought Newcastle match saw the RAF start sluggishly which saw Manchester hold a 5-nil lead at the end of the 1st quarter. Despite a brace of well-taken goals by centre-forward SAC Andy Huckle in the second quarter the dominance of the Manchester side was never in doubt. The final scoreline reading 20-5. RAF goalscorers: Huckle (3 goals), Polden and Kingshott (one apiece).

The RAF complete the NWPL season at Walsall on 29/30 November. Buoyed by their first win the RAF players will look for further league points in matches against Bedford, University of Bristol and Weymouth & Portland. Further news, reports and statistics are available at www.nwpl.co.uk

15 Nov 08 RAF vs Newcastle (8 - 14), RAF vs Manchester Hawks (5 - 20)

16 Nov 08 RAF vs Grantham (9 - 8)

So close to final weekend glory...

After a hard fought season the RAF Water Polo Team finished with their heads held high after three close fought matches that could all have ended in RAF victories.  If a nail biting finale had been requested, this couldn't have been far off the mark, with the RAF losing two of their three games by only one goal.  Unfortunately, the team finished bottom of the league with just one victory but plenty of lessons learnt.

29 Nov 08 RAF vs Bedford (10 - 11)

30 Nov 08 RAF vs Bristol Uni (11 - 12), RAF vs Weymouth and Portland (15 - 12)

NWPL Div 4 - League Table 2008

RAF Women's Water Polo Team

Sat 26 Apr 08 RAF vs Sheffield University (8 - 12)

Sat 17 May 08 RAF vs Grantham Academy (5 - 14)

Newly formed RAF Women's Water Polo Team compete in first international competition

Ten members of the newly formed RAF Female Water Polo team competed in their first international competition, playing other European teams in the 7th Open International Water Polo Tournament ‘MeerPolo’ at the RZ De Meer Water Polo Club, Culemborg, The Netherlands. The aim of the tour was to further the development of RAFSA’s Female Water Polo Team, by giving them more experience of playing together against a variety of teams in a less than conventional setting!

On Sat 6 Sep, after recovering from the shock of discovering that they were playing water polo in a lake rather than in a swimming pool (a minor detail that seemed to have been omitted by the captain, Fg Off Katie Broomhead) the team played in 3 matches. Despite the fact that the first match was against a mixed team, the RAF girls held their own with goals from the captain and Sgt Bex Nicholls and some impressive saves from the newly trained goalkeeper, SAC Rebecca Smith. The RAF players showed their strength in the water but some rusty passing and defending skills let them down and they narrowly lost the game 3-2. The RAF won the second game 5-0 by default, as the other team did not turn up, but used the time they had to get acclimatised to the lake and jumped in for some shooting practice. The third game was a rough, tough and more physical game than the girls were used to. There were some frustrating decisions made by the referee and it proved to be a challenging game! Despite support from the side from RAFSA Chairman Wg Cdr Orton and goals from Fg Off Katie Broomhead, Fg Off Ali Phippen and Sgt Bex Nicholls, the game was lost 5-3.

On the morning of Sun 7 Sep the girls awoke to the wind and rain (luckily tents still intact), which did not make the lake seem very appealing for the 2 games that day! Determined to build on the experiences of day one, that morning the girls played their best game yet. They reacted to the change in play with pace, defended better, protected the ball when in possession and their passing had improved. Their opponents had a couple of star players that were able to get past the RAF's defence and gain a 2-0 lead; however some great long shots from Sgt Bex Nicholls kept the girls in the game and at half time the scores were level. Further goals from Flt Lt Ange Westlake and SAC Shona Cowen gave the RAF the advantage but the team were not able to prevent the opposition from scoring another 2 goals to bring the final score of the first match to 4-4. The team had one more game to go and, in their most closely fought match of the tournament, the girls continued to play well. Despite some great goals from Flt Lt Ange Westlake, Fg Off Ali Phippen and Sgt Bex Nicholls and some excellent team work, the RAF were unable to open up a lead. With minutes to go the girls’ all-out efforts resulted in another goal but hopes were quickly dashed as the opposition then also scored evening the score board. In the final seconds the opponents' strong pit player was able to prevent the RAF from scoring a winning goal leaving the final result as 5-5.

Overall the tournament was a great experience for the team. It allowed them to bond on a social level, to learn about each others' strengths and weaknesses in the water and gave them some valuable training points for next season. It also allowed the team to experience open water polo for the first time!

The team comprised: Sqn Ldr Torie McCormick, Flt Lt Ange Westlake, Flt Lt Alice Hartley, Fg Off Katie Broomhead, Fg Off Nicky Hark, Fg Off Ali Phippen, Fg Off Rachel Cadman, Sgt Bex Nicholls, SAC Shona Cowen, and SAC Rebecca Smith.