rugby union
Presidents & Vice-Presidents Association
Dear All
Here is the third of the news-letters detailing what is happening in and to 'your' union and covers
the happenings in January and February.
In order to more accurately reflect the membership of the Association, our title has been changed
to include the Presidents.
President
As our President, Air Chief Marshal Sir Clive Loader (CinC Air Command) is due to retire at the
end of Apr '09, he has decided to stand down slightly early. Following consultation between the
Director of the RAF Sports Board, Air Vice-Marshal Chris Davison (an RAFRU Vice-President) and
our Chairman, Air Vice-Marshal T M (Timmo) Anderson, and currently the Assistant Chief of the
Air Staff has agreed to become the new RAFRU President. His bio is attached. Welcome
onboard.
The RAFRU are grateful to Sir Clive for all of his support during his tenure as President and wish
him all the best in his retirement!! We look forward to seeing him at our home Inter-Service game.
Promotions
Air Cdre Mike Lloyd, our current Director of Corporate Affairs, is to be promoted to Air ViceMarshal and will become Chief of Staff (Personnel) and Air Secretary, HQ Air Command on 27
March 2009. Congratulations from all in the RAFRU.
Air Cdre Graham Stacey, the RAFRU Chairman before last, is promoted to Air Vice-Marshal and is
posted to the USA as the Senior British Military Advisor to US CENTCOM as of 18 Mar 2009.
Again congratulations from all in the RAFRU.
Executive Committee
Gp Capt Gordon Bruce has rejoined the rugby fold having picked up the mantle of Corporate
Affairs. He is currently based at RAFC Cranwell as the Gp Capt Inspectorate of Recruiting.
Wg Cdr Paul Jackson has also rejoined Team RAFRU, assuming the post of Chairman RAF XV;
he is a member of the RAF Transformation Team based at Air Command.
Welcome back to you both.
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The Honorary Medical Adviser, Wg Cdr Denise Dexter, has stood down with immediate effect, and
has been replaced by Wg Cdr Clive Monkley. Clive is the SMO at RAF Benson, has attended to
the RAF XV’s needs for the last few seasons and has also been the senior doctor at the Akrotiri
10’s for a number of years.
Our thanks go to Denise for all her efforts, and to Clive for taking up the post of Honorary Medical
Adviser.
Director of the RAF Sports Board
After nearly 7 years in post as DSB(RAF) and having overseen the move of the Sports Board from
Innsworth to Halton, Air Vice-Marshal Chris Davison is retiring. He played command rugby in the
late 60’s and early 70’s, but was not capped as he was up against Keith Howe (16 caps ’69 – ’77).
He has also been the Sports Board member on the RAF ExCo during his tenure as DSB and as
such has kept the RAFRU on track with his sound advice and guidance.
The RAFRU wish in well in retirement and hope to see him at our Inter-Service matches for many
years to come.
His replacement is Air Cdre Barry Doggett RAF (Retd). Barry is an ex rugby player (centre) and
he and I played together at Coningsby in the late ‘70’s before he went to Bruggen and played for
RAF(G). Barry will take up post in Jul 09.
Death
It is with deep sorrow that I have to inform you that Wg Cdr Hylton Price RAF (Retd) was one of
the Tutor pilots killed in the accident near Porthcawl in mid February. Hylton was capped at fly
half in 1971 & ’72 against the Army while still in flying training at Leeming, and then captained the
RAFG side during his time at Wildenrath.
We were at Coningsby in mid ‘70’s and I had the privilege of playing with Hylton when he was
outside Rhys Owen. They were the best station half-back pairing I have ever seen.
At the funeral in Bridgend the RAF pulled out all the stops, fly past, volley etc and as always the
arrangements were superb. So many people attended that it was standing room only at the
crematorium. The RAFRU and Association were represented by the RAFRU Hon Sec and myself;
Pete Ray, John Hough and Trev Duggan were also there having played and / or flown with Hylton.
How the Welsh can sing!!
Charity Commission
The RAFRU are still awaiting legal advice from the firm appointed by the RAF Sports Board. This
information must ensure that we meet all government, RFU, MoD and RAFRU regulations. The
planned date for ‘Incorporation’ is now 1 May 09.
Representative Sides
The build up to the Inter-Services has been hampered by the poor weather in the last couple of
months; if it was not rain and water logged pitches, then it was snow and frozen ground. This
resulted in 4 games being cancelled; the RAF XV v Cambridge University and Buckinghamshire
(East Midlands having called off); Women v Loughborough and Stoneygate.
The Women however did not let a few snow flakes get in the way of their training camp and just
made the best of it. I am told that having snowball fights was very much the order of the day.
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The RAF XV build up to this seasons Inter-Service matches started by having to find a game at
short notice, as the planned fixture against Bath University was cancelled due to a water-logged
pitch. Gloucester University stepped into the breech and the match was played at the Prince of
Wales Stadium Cheltenham. Five of the squad selected to play had worked their up through the
Academy, so that proves the system is working.
The game started at a furious pace and after 10 minutes SAC Nick Kibble had to be replaced at
prop as he had twisted his knee while trying to demonstrate some fancy footwork when taking the
ball into contact. What is happening to the game if props are trying to play like backs? The first
score was to the RAF, but came at a cost as SAC Karl Carven got concussed as he tried to
demolish the posts when crossing for his try. The try was successfully converted by debutant SAC
Paolo Allen.
The University fought back to score a try, but the RAF put the pressure back on and were awarded
a penalty try after persistent infringement by the opposition front row. Allen again converted. The
following ten minutes saw the RAF side lose concentration, take the foot off the pedal, and commit
a catalogue of unforced errors in all departments. The delighted home crowd cheered on as the
unforgiving UG side cashed in and scored two successive tries to bring the halftime score to 14 –
19, in their favour.
The some strong encouragement from the coaching staff during the break meant that a stonyfaced emerged from the changing room and focused on the challenge ahead. Cpl Angelo
Flammia went through a to score under the posts; Allen successfully converted before being
replaced by Cpl Phil Thomas. The RAF were now demonstrating control of the game and
imposing breaks from the likes of Sqn Ldr Howard Parr, Cpl Alan Blewitt and SAC Steve Green
was being rewarded with great territorial gains. The backs were making full use of this advantage
and ensured that the RAF team were soon back in the scoring zone. Sixteen minutes into the
second half Blewitt, demonstrating excellent support play, went over the line to bring the score to
26 – 19.
With the RAF firmly in the driving seat a double substitution witnessed Cpl Gareth Spain and
debutant Flt Lt Rory Jackson take to the field. Within three minutes Spain scored following an
excellent catch and drive from the line-out and clever rolling forward play. Thomas made the
conversion and the score stood at 33 – 19. From the subsequent restart the UG players once
again took advantage of RAF errors and were rewarded with a try when the winger crossed the
line in the corner, score 33 -22. The RAF team rallied and after winning a scrum against the head
breached the twenty-two before successive support player led to Parr smashing over the line in
the opposition far corner, 38 – 22 with nine minutes left to play.
The RAF now clearly sensing victory continued to up the pressure with players attacking from all
directions and making good yards up the field before linking up with excellent support play. The
last try of the game was taken by the outstanding Flammia, who had demonstrated exceptional
strength and talent throughout. Thomas kicked the final conversion and the final score was 45 –
22 to the RAF.
Forwards: SAC Rob McGregor (RAF Marham), Cpl Ritchie Craig (RAF Odiham), SAC Nick Kibble
(MOD St Athan), Sqn Ldr Howard Parr (RAF Honington), Cpl Matthew Wood (RAF Wittering),
SAC Steve Green (RAF Benson), Sqn Ldr Matthew Cornish (Air Command & Captain), Cpl Alan
Blewitt (RAF Benson).
Backs: SAC Dai Birkby (RAF Benson), SAC Paolo Allen (RAF Lyneham), Flt Lt Nicholas
Monahan (RAF Benson), SAC Karl Craven (RAF Boulmer), Cpl Angelo Flammia (RAF Benson),
SAC Paul Gutteridge (RAF Marham), Fg Off Gareth Jacobs (RAF Marham).
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Replacements: SAC Colin Evans (RAF Leeming), SAC Ritchie James (RAF Wittering), Fg Off
James Morgan (RAF Akrotiri), Flt Lt Rory Jackson (RAF Brize Norton), Cpl Gareth Spain (MOD St
Athan), Cpl Phil Thomas (RAF Brize Norton), Flt Lt Tim Price (RAF Lyneham).
Preparation for the 2009 Inter-Services Competition took a massive blow when the RAF XV were
brought crashing back to earth by an exceptionally strong Oxford University side. The RAF,
severely hampered by injury and operational duties, fielded a relatively inexperienced side as only
twelve RAF capped players were available for selection, Sqn Ldr Howard Parr took over the
captaincy. Oxford on the other hand fielded a talented squad of players comprising of sixteen
‘Blues’ and two internationals, Anton Oliver (New Zealand – 59 caps) and Stan McKeen (Canada 21 caps).
Oxford bossed the game from the off repeatedly battering the RAF defence until a penalty led to
the first try of the game. The RAF No 8, JT Andrew Tibbatts was penalised for holding-on to the
ball in the tackle area. Oxford organised swiftly with a quick tap and go, fast hands and excellent
support play led to the Oxford Captain and hooker, Dan Rosen, breaching the RAF try-line at
considerable pace.
There was little to compliment the RAF side during the first half as repeated infringement in the
tackle area by several RAF players finally led to Flt Lt Tim Price receiving an inevitable yellow card
and ten minutes in the sin-bin. Cpl Philip Thomas worked hard at full-back but was unable to
prevent the ensuing support runners as he felled his target during each separate wave of attack. In
the main, the RAF failed to maintain strict and cohesive defensive patterns, whilst the experienced
Oxford players simply exploited every weakness. With the halftime whistle approaching Oxford
were firmly in charge leading 26 – 0.
Scant consolation came just before halftime with an exciting break from Thomas and debutant Fg
Off Paul Cook. The pairing crossed the halfway line, and with some fancy footwork managed to
breach the Oxford 22m. Infringement from the rallying Oxford defence led to a penalty kick and a
yellow card for the Oxford second row, the penalty was duly converted by Cpl Jason Balman, 26 –
3.
The halftime break saw Flt Lt Tim Price replaced with new addition to the RAF Squad, centre Fg
Off Callum Smith. The RAF restarted the game taking the ball into the Oxford 22m area with
promising attacks, the Oxford defence stood strong and prevented any chance of revival from the
hopeful RAF. Unforced errors from the RAF saw the ball easily changing hands, but crunching
tackles from Tibbatts and SAC Steve Green failed to regain the advantage or territory. Six minutes
into the second half, Tibbatts was forced to leave the field unable to shake off an injury sustained
earlier in the game. He was replaced by the veteran Rugby League player Cpl James Le-Mar who
had temporarily switched codes to assist the beleaguered Rugby Union side.
Immediately after the replacement Cpl Gareth Spain found himself under pressure in the RAF 22m
and a failed kick was charged down. Oxford charged on and following an unsuccessful RAF scrum
in the 5m area once again capitalised on errors to open the second half scoring, 31 – 3.
Parr quickly took the opportunity to rally his men displaying firm direction and inspiring words of
encouragement. The revival was short lived and the Oxford back line soon found the gaps now
opening up in the RAF defence. Superb tackling from the gritty centre Smith failed to inspire those
around him and simultaneous Oxford attacks were rewarded with two players scoring a hat trick of
tries.
With fifteen minutes left to play and the score now at 43 – 3, Green was forced to leave the field
due to the re-occurrence of an old shoulder injury. Parr, who had been outstanding throughout,
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covered the field in both attack and defence. Sadly his efforts were unrewarded, rarely matched
and were not enough to prevent the Oxford team racking up the points.
Oxford won the game with a convincing 62 – 3 victory leaving the RAF Squad with much to reflect
on. WO Steve Worrall (Chairman of Selectors) highlighted and reiterated to the young and
uncapped members of the squad the high standard of rugby and level of intensity that they should
come to expect. He said, “This is a wake-up call to the young and inexperienced players regarding
their individual application and effort, and the intensity required. This is a real eye opener they
should now have a real appreciation of what is required regarding their personal fitness and
enhanced skill levels”.
Forwards: SAC Rob McGregor (RAF Marham), Cpl Ritchie Craig (RAF Odiham), SAC Colin
Evans (RAF Leeming), Sqn Ldr Howard Parr (RAF Honington & Captain), Cpl Matthew Wood
(RAF Wittering), SAC Steve Green (RAF Benson), Fg Off Daniel Kennedy (RAF Boulmer), JT
Andrew Tibbatts (RAF Lyneham).
Backs: Cpl Gareth Spain (MOD St Athan), Cpl Jason Balman (FDTC Crickhowell), Fg Off Paul
Cook (RAF Linton-on-Ouse, Flt Lt Tim Price (RAF Lyneham), Fg Off Gareth Jacobs (RAF
Marham, Cpl James Reid (RAF Marham), Cpl Philip Thomas (RAF Brize Norton).
Replacements: Cpl Ian Gilmour (RAF Wittering), Cpl Adam Winchester (RAF Coningsby), SAC
Anton Bainbridge (RAF Brize Norton), Cpl James Le-Mar (RAF Cosford), Cpl Richie Gunning
(RAF Benson), Cpl Paul Hills (RAF Brize Norton), Fg Off Callum Smith (RAF Leuchars).
The Women played the British Police on a Friday afternoon at RAFC Cranwell and this weekday
fixture mean that a number of key players were missing. Although low on numbers, confidence
was high as evidenced through flanker Sally Thornton playing left wing and fellow flanker Helen
Reade stepping up into Nat Verner’s boots shoes as inside centre when a calf injury meant Nat
had to leave the field in the second half. With the Team mascot barking support from the side line,
this was a hard fought and enjoyable match.
The RAF had won the toss and elected to kick; Nicola Underwood, (No.10), got us underway with
a kick Johnny W would’ve been proud of. An early penalty to the light blue saw the forwards try
out their impressive moves, but an unfortunate penalty ended this session, with the Police kicking
for ground sending our RAF Winger Katie Sharman into the defence to clear our line.
The fight was on, with each team gaining then losing ground and possession. Impressive tackling
by forward Lynn Armstrong stopped the Police fullback from a break, but a lack of discipline saw
the RAF take a penalty and start a concerted push towards their try line. A turn-over ball and the
Police moved back the other way, recycling the ball quickly and gaining ground resulted in the
RAF leaving the left side of the sticks open. This the Police fullback took advantage of and her first
try was scored after 20 minutes.
The girls fought hard to create some clear play for the backs but were finding themselves more on
the defence, this they relished with Michelle Crolla folding a Police forward in half with a text book
tackle. Fantastic support play from the out of position Sally Thornton gave Katie Sharman the
space and time she needed as she took high ball after high ball from the Police who had no
options from the advancing defensive line. However the Police fullback, who was their primary
playmaker and best player on the park, made a break and even though she was brought down
short of the line, managed to offload to the wing who scored on the left side of the posts.
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Nicola Underwood restarted the match and Vinny Vinavaulu stopped the charging Police 2nd row;
not content with that Vinny immediately tackled one of the props into touch. Again the Police had
possession and two more tries ensued which meant that the RAF were trailing 20-0 at half time.
The second half saw a number of penalties in the first few minutes, the lions share going to the
RAF. Katie Sharman had a kick at goal but it fell short. A player from each side was then sinbinned and during this time the speedy Police wing broke away to score her second try.
The RAF exerted a lot of pressure through the forwards, but the Police defence proved too much
and the ball was turned over. Steph Carlyon put in an impressive try-saving tackle, but even after
the ensuing RAF line out, breakdowns, excellent clear outs and Vinny back on making up for lost
time the RAF could not stop the Police scoring two more tries with one of them converted.
A brave performance from the RAF against opposition that contained a number of international
players resulted in a final score of 39-0 to the British Police.
The Veterans XV first match after the Christmas break was supposed to be against the West
Midlands Police Vets side. However the Police fielded a full strength 1 st XV, the same side that
the Wolves had played in their hard fought contest prior to the Divisional Championship.
On what was a bitterly cold night at DCAE Cosford, the Vultures, who were short of a number of
key players, started brightly but a failure to capitalise on winning lineout ball cost them dearly.
With the Police side pressing the Vultures line, ball they did win, was lost by static drives into the
ruck and maul situation. Outside-half Si Cooper made some piercing runs into the police half and
was rewarded by the award of two penalties when the opposition killed the ball; sadly they were
not converted into points.
The Vultures defence was excellent and despite some excellent Police three-quarter line work, it
took 25 minutes to see the first score – a converted try to the Police. The score remained 0-7 until
half time.
The Vultures made a number of changes for the second half, but were unable to pierce the
visitor’s line. Their game seemed to lack structure and as the game progressed the Vultures
started to miss some first-up tackles and it was only sterling work by winger Craig Farrington that
saved the RAF on a number of occasions. Into the last 20 minutes and despite the efforts of
Kenworthy, Cooper and Fisher the Police superiority and fitness told when they ran in four tries
without reply. Final Score 0 - 38 to the West Midlands Police.
Station Rugby
It was very disappointing to learn that only 57 games were recorded as having been played by
stations prior to Christmas. This lack of regular participation across the grass-roots of the Union is
causing a great deal of consternation and soul-searching amongst the members of the RAFRU
Executive Committee as they seek ways to reinvigorate the foundation of the Union.
The draw for the RAF Cup and Shield, made on the basis of all of the results recorded with the
organisers, is as follows:Lossiemouth v Stafford
Aldergrove v Leuchars
Cosford v West London Baa-Baa’s
Waddington v Valley / Shawbury
Halton / High Wycombe v Boscombe Down
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Honington v Marham
Lyneham v Brize Norton
Benson v Leeming
These games were played on 28 February with the winners going forward to the RAF Cup and the
losers playing for the Warrington-Morris Shield. The results of these games, the subsequent draw
and results will be detailed in the next newsletter. They can also be viewed on the RAFRU
website.
Photographs
My request for information about the 1954 Inter-Service team v Army, played on 27 Mar 54 (lost
16 – 3) has succeeded. A number of people replied, but Graham Hingston-Jones came up trumps
in naming everyone in the picture. The photo is the 2nd attachment.
Left to right in the back row are ? Morgan, Plt Off B J Lane (Hamble), Plt Off C David (Yatesbury),
Fit Kt P G Yarranton (Air Ministry), AC J Sewell (Catterick), Fg Off G J S Head (Halton), Flt Lt
Collard (Locking), Sqn Ldr H K Rees (Touch Judge).
Left to right seated are:- SAC B Jones (Innsworth), LAC D T Williams (Merrifield), Flt Lt R Beatson
(Wroughton), Flt Lt R V Stirling (Air Ministry (Captain), Sqn Ldr A A Smailes (Air Ministry), Fg Off J
Boothman (Halton), Fg Off D G Naylor (Neatheravon).
Left to right on ground are:- Off Cdt D J McPherson (Kirton-in-Lindsey) & Flt Lt A W Black
(Syerston)
Euan Black, capped at fullback against the Army and Navy in 1968 before a posting to Germany
flying Lightning’s brought his rugby playing career to a close, sent me a picture (3rd attachment) of
the teams taken when the RAF played Hartlepool Rovers in the Bob Oaks Memorial fixture in
1966. This the first match that both Euan and Billy Steele played for the RAF. Euan could name a
few people, but Peter Larter has put a name to most of the RAF personnel. The RAF XV are in
the darker shirts and are as follows:Left to right back row:- Billy Steele, Lyn Samuel, unknown, Emlyn Thomas, unknown prop, Arthur
Parsons.
Left to right middle row:- the 2nd person is unknown, the 3rd person (head & shoulders) is Geoff
Head, then Arthur Thomas, Peter Larter, Mike Marson. Mike Wilkinson, with the 2nd last individual
(next to the ref) believed to be Wg Cdr George Strange.
Front row seated left to right:- Alan Jones, Val McCarthy, the gent in the centre with the hat is to
be Air Marshal Sir Kenneth Cross (President), Euan Black, Roger Hill and Bob Stevenson.
If anyone knows who the unknown people are I would be grateful of any update.
My thanks go to Euan for the photo, plus Graham and Peter for supplying the above information.
If anyone else has a photograph of an RAF side (any time or place), then it would be appreciated if
it could be forwarded to me as I am in the process of compiling a collection of as many RAF sides
as possible. The photograph would be enhanced by the modern day systems that the RAF now
has, the copied and scanned on to disc. The original will be returned to the sender.
Information
The RAFRU website can be found by Googling RAF Rugby and we are the first site that comes
up.
If you have not already confirmed with the Hon Sec RAFRU Presidents and Vice-Presidents
Association of your attendance (or otherwise) at the RAFRU home Inter-Service match, it is
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requested that all Presidents, Life Vice-Presidents and Vice-Presidents do so as a matter of
urgency.
Strange Facts
G H H P Maxwell won 6 caps between 1920 & ’26, and along with R B W A George who was
capped in 1951, are the players with the most initials.
Fixtures
Mar
Wed 4
Sun 8
Wed 11
Wed 18
Mon 23
Wed 25
Apr
Wed 15
Wed 22
May
Sat
2
Wed 6
RAF Cup & Shield Quarter-finals
Women v Old Albanians
RAF v Moseley
Vets v Brize Norton
RAF Cup & Shield Semi-finals
RAF v Nottingham
Vets v Lincolnshire Vets
St Albans
Moseley
RAF Brize Norton
RAF Halton
Melish RFC
Sleaford
Inter-Service v Army
Inter-Service Royal Navy
Newbury - RAF 10’s
Aldershot
Newbury
Inter-Service Army v RN
CS U23 XV v England Students
RAF Cup & Shield Finals
Twickenham
RAF Halton
The up to date fixture list can be viewed on the RAFRU website.
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