9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2001 - Page 0073
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| Regiment | 9th/12th Lancers |
|---|---|
| Year | 2001 |
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REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S) 73 Regimental Hockey he Regimental hockey team has gone from strength to strength over the last season under the watchful eye of the RAO, Capt Ben Bennington. The RAO arrived in July 2000 and immediately set about the hockey team with regular training ses- sions being held every Thursday evening. In training they looked good, it was now time to test them on the pitch. We ran the l-Iohne Garrison 6-a-side tournament in Nov 00 and despite a shaky start, we soon found our feet and the team began to make their mark. The team cruised through to the final and were confident against 2 Bn REME, having drawn with them ear- lier that day. Sadly, we could not find the net and ended up losing 1:0 despite being the strongest squad. In January 2001, the team travelled to the BA(G) RAC tourna- ment. We were very much the underdogs but keen to make our mark. We started the day against the QRl-I and quickly settled into the match. Some good hockey ensued and we came away 1:0 winners. The RDG beckoned next and, with their fresher legs, they gave us a hard time and soon grabbed an early goal. The team dug deep into the reserve tank and soon after scored an equaliser, final result 1:1. The final beckoned against the QRL who were the tournament favourites and very much the team to beat. 9/12L quickly made their mark on the game and were by far the more committed. Cpl Eddie Edwards quickly found the net, leaving the keeper looking for the ball. The QRL responded with wave after wave of attacks which we absorbed before counter attacking. Some excellent work by the team in the ‘D’ resulted in a penalty flick which the skipper stepped up to take. He found the roofofthe net 7 we had won. A monumental performance by the side ensured that we were crowned RAC champions, a great achievement! In February, we entered the BA(G) indoor 6-a-side competition. We were drawn in a strong league with only one team going through to the semi finals. We started well and achieved two solid wins but were then caught out by 12 Regt RA, losing 2:1. We had to beat 32 Engr Regt to go through. Despite a valiant effort, we lost 3:1 and were runners up in our league. On the positive side, a number ofvaluable lessons were learnt. In March, the Regiment had an inter-Sqn sports day; we ran a 6- a-side hockey tournament. This gave us an excellent opportunity to talent spot for the rest of the season. l-IQ Sqn came away clear winners with an impressive 9 goals for and none against. April saw a confident team travel to the l-Iohne Garrison 6-a-side tournament in Fallingbostel. Following a very shaky start against 3 Rl-IA we came away with a lucky 0:0 draw. A heated debrief fol- lowed which picked the team up to go on to further success. We were drawn against 32 Engr Regt in the semi finals but their fresh- er legs were too much for ours and we lost 1:0. In May, we travelled to Gutersloh for the BA(G) outdoor 6-a-side tournament - very much the event ofthe season. Despite the con- fidence given by the newly arrived Lt Stephen Clitheroe, ex England Under 21 keeper, a quick walk about by the skipper con- firmed his fears, all of the big guns were here today, we were in for some lessons in hockey 7 how wrong could I be? We were in League 2 and first met 7 Sigs’ second team. Despite attack after attack, we just could not find the net and saw the match slip away with a 0:0 draw, a dreadful start. We next met 1 AAC - previous Army champions and a very strong squad. However, we were totally committed and put them under severe pressure with Cpl Swift grabbing an excellent goal. Result 1:0, a win now would see us in the semi finals. We then played against 7 Sigs’ first team who Capt W/Hoy, Capt Benn/ngton, LCp/ Mann, Capt Far/er, Cp/ SW/ft, Lt C//theroe, LCp/ M/nto looked very handy. However, we had found our pace and we were going to the semis. A totally committed performance saw us come away 3:0 winners. Now for the semi final. We could not have had a worse draw, we had 16 Signal Regt who had just beaten 26 Fd Regt RA, the BA(G) champions, and they were gunning for us but we totally surprised the Signals with our dedication, commitment and hockey skills. They watched as we drew them apart and only some very committed goalkeeping and defending kept the ball out ofthe net. Capt Bennington was find- ing the gaps in their defence and put a long ball through to Cpl ‘Swifty’ Swift. He was not deterred by the sight of the keeper screaming towards him. He kept his head and slid the ball under the diving keeper who then took him out. It mattered not; the ball found the net. What a result! It was more than we had hoped for. Now for the final. We were drawn against 1 Bn REME in the final and were going to firmly stamp our name on BA(G) hockey. We quickly settled into the match and put the REME under significant pressure. Some good work in the mid field by Capt Nick Wilby and the skipper split the REME’s defence and a quick ball found Cpl Swift. He drew the keeper away from the goal and reverse passed to LCpl ‘Minty’ Minto who, slightly bemused by his fortune, calmly pushed the ball into the net. In the final minutes we easily absorbed their attacks with our keeper only having to make one gentle save throughout the match. Army Champions (okay, Germany) - a great achievement in our first season! Of note, throughout the season, for their commitment, dedica- tion and goodwill were Capts Corcoran and Wilby, W02 Denton, Cpl Swift and LCpl Mann, all setting a superb example for oth- ers to follow. On top of these achievements, Capt Bennington and LCpl Mann represented the BA(G) side throughout the season, we have a number ofRegimental players being considered for the RAC side and Capts Ben Bennington and Peter Corcoran joined 102 Log Bde’s hockey tour to Barbados in August. The next season, although slightly hindered by the BATUS OPFOR commitment, brings a good deal of excitement as we try to top last season’s successes. We start in January 2002 with the first round of the Army Cup against 1 AAC - watch this space. BB |
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