By OCDT Will Langdon
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The
RAN Rugby League team before its match against the NSW Corrective
Services team in Sydney.
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The
RAN Rugby League team had its first win against some spirited
opposition from the NSW Corrective Services side on September
17 at Oki Jubilee Oval, Sydney. This is the first time the RAN
team had come together since selections were announced at the
Patron’s Cup in August.
The game was played as the curtain raiser to the grand final of
the Sydney Police Competition in front of a crowd of approximately
1000. The RANRL team was full of running early with the forward
pack laying down a solid platform for the impressive backline
to do its work and put on some great tries.
Both sides grew tired late in the first half in the hot conditions
but the RANRL side went into the break with a commanding 36-10
lead. After half-time the game turned with the Corrective Services
team hitting back with some stiff defence and potent ball running.
With the scores growing closer late in the second half, RANRL
lifted its work rate and ran in a couple of well constructed tries
to take the game 48-36.
All players turned in strong performances with some standout games
from Nick Knight, Brock Martin and man of the match Chris Bohan.
Special thanks go to those players from AUSCDTONE and HMAS Waterhen
that came into the team at short notice; their participation made
the day a successful one for the RANRL.
This was the RANRL’s first venture into a formal competition and
from all feedback taken on the day, turned out to be a huge success.
The RANRL’s major sponsor, ATSA, provided the team with its new
playing strip for the day.
Company representative Geoff Stevenson attended the game and was
most impressed with the spirit the game was played in. There are
more games scheduled for the RANRL side early next year with an
interservice competition to take place in March at Newcastle.
As with any Service sport, all support is most welcome and anyone
interested can contact RANRL president LCDR Sion Griffiths at
Sion.Griffiths@defence.gov.au.
