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Trent Wing Girls 5-a-Side Championships

Sunday 09 April 06 saw twelve teams battle for honours in the third annual Girls 5-a-side championships. Of that twelve, 195 (Grimsby) Squadron fielded two teams – the squadron team and a composite team with 2292 (Market Rasen) Sqn. The day’s activities took place in the East Side Gym of RAFC Cranwell and provided a superb competition for both players and spectators alike.

The morning saw all the teams split into two leagues to decide the line up for the afternoon’s semi-finals and final and an unfortunate draw ended up with both 195 teams playing in the same league. Whilst this was disappointing for both teams it certainly made no difference when they were to meet on the penultimate league match of the morning – no quarter was given and certainly none was taken. Although the 195 ‘A’ team were expected to win, the composite team certainly made them work hard for their result !

By the end of the morning’s play – which needed first aid treatment for two finger injuries (one broken), one bruised toe, a full-on ball in the face impact and countless applications of freeze spray for battered knees and ankles – the line-up for the afternoons play had been decided.

The first of the semi-finals saw 331 (Chesterfield) Sqn versus 119 (Scunthorpe) Sqn in a difficult match which ended ? - ? in Chesterfield’s favour. The second of the semi-finals proved to be the hardest fought and most venomous of the day’s derby matches when 195 took on their traditional rivals, 866 (Immingham) Sqn. On paper, 195 looked the better squad with a clean sweep in the morning’s league. 866 Sqn on the other hand took it right down to the wire with their very last game to secure their place as League A runners-up. But, as with most things football, statistics mean very little on the day.

Despite going down 1–0 in the first minute, 195 quickly fought back to equalise and then dominate the majority of the first half. The second half started, again with 195 piling on the pressure, with several attempts on goal but each time frustratingly denied. As the game progressed tempers started to show on both sides but it was 195’s lack of substitutes that proved the last straw and a lapse by the exhausted players in the last minute of the game was all that 866 needed to secure a decidedly hard-won victory. The final score was 866 Sqn, 2 – 195 Sqn, 1.

Although distraught at not having made the final, 195 weren’t able to dwell on the loss as 10minutes later they once again faced 119 (Scunthorpe) Sqn in the play-off for third and fourth place. In the morning’s league matches, 119 Sqn had been the team to watch and once again proved to be just as difficult in the play-off. Despite being desperately tired and still smarting from their loss, 195 dug deep and fought a difficult, tense match to finally secure victory, and the bronze medal position, with a 2-1 win against a worthy opponent.

The final match between 331 (Chesterfield) Sqn and 866 (Immingham) Sqn proved to be the most dramatic game of the day and a fitting climax to the competition. Neither team seemed able to get the upper hand despite frequent shots on target and aggressive play by both sides the game remained locked at 0 – 0 and had to go to extra time.

Even though both teams were visibly tiring, the four minutes of extra time still failed to produce the winner and the match went to that most despised of situations – the penalty shoot-out. 331 Sqn went first and so begun a shoot-out that took almost as long as the preceding match. The first rotation saw no winner and the ball was moved from the penalty-spot to the edge of the goalkeepers area. The second rotation again saw no winner and the shoot-out went to sudden death. Finally, on the twelfth penalty, 866 Sqn secured the winner and claimed this year’s trophy and title.

The medal presentation and final parade was attended by Sqn Ldr David Hortop, who congratulated all present on their effort and sportsmanship throughout the day, and echoed everyone’s anticipation for next year’s competition.
Posted by Flt Lt Flint - 14th April 2006

Regional Sports Round-up ~ Senior Football

On a slightly frozen pitch, a young Trent wing lined up against Norfolk and Suffolk in their first game of the day. As the game kicked off both teams struggled to gain momentum, as well as finding it difficult to cope with strong swirling winds. Norfolk and Suffolk found a breakthrough after suggestions of offside were raised but Trent Wing levelled the match shortly before half time. The second half was as even as the first, though two defensive mistakes allowed Norfolk and Suffolk to walk through to the final with a score line of 3-1. Third place was all Trent wing had to play for now, South and East Midlands their competition. S&E Midlands took an early lead before an astounding 50 yard blast from 195's Aaron Lewis proved to be an inspiring equaliser. Trent Wing then piled on the pressure and more goals followed. Trent Wing went 3-1 up before S&E Midlands found a mere consolation before the close. Cadets Parker, Robinson, Lewis and Skudder were all offered the chance to travel to Regional trials, and Cadet Robinson also bagged the player of the tournament for Trent wing.
Posted by Cdt Parker - 6th March 2006

Former Cadets Sporting Triumph

Former Grimsby winger Matt Stringer scored the winning try for the Royal Air Force College against the French Air Academy in Salon, near Marseille. The match was part of an inter-collegiate series, a competition between different officer training colleges. The RAF side won 7-5 in a close battle. It was 0-0 at half-time but Stringer went over in the second half, making it 5-0, followed by the two-point conversion from James Hunt. The French scored in the last 10 minutes but missed the conversion. Matt is in his second year at the Leeds Met University, studying for a BSc (Hons) in Physical Activity Exercise and Health. He has joined the Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron, based at RAF Church Fenton, and is ranked Officer Cadet in the RAF Volunteer Reserves (RAFVR), the YUAS parent body. The UAS is for undergraduate students who want to join the RAF and gives training and an insight in to life as an RAF officer. Matt is in the squad for the season and will also have games against Sandhurst ( Army Officer College), Dartmouth (Naval College) and the Dutch Air Academy.
Posted by Flt Lt Flint - 2nd March 2006