The
recently held Inter-Command Sports Challenge at Randwick Army Barracks was an
event that tested all athletes to their limits.
Systems Command won the
day 4-1 after four sports were contested in a five-game spectacular.
As spectators
eased into the day with a free breakfast of bacon and eggs, the women’s rugby
kicked into action.
The early starters put on a great display of running rugby
with the Maritime side holding the lead for most of the game.
Systems
attempted to make a late surge but were unable to close the gap by the time the
final whistle blew.
The first event went to Maritime Command 22-17.
Without
a moment to spare, spectators, sponsors and players moved indoors to see a titanic
struggle in the netball, where the scores were never more than a few points apart
for the duration of the match.
Great ball movement from the Systems Command
side, led by ABDEN Jo Connolly, kept up a frantic pace to maintain their lead
from the Maritime side led by POWTR Liz Saunders.
Some costly turnovers
in the last quarter allowed Systems to eventually win by a solitary point 29-28.
Mixed
soccer then took centre stage in a fast-moving expansive game that Maritime led
by 4-2 at the end of the first half. Due to the early pace, legs started to tire,
with Systems slowly pegging back the lead.
Proving
to be fleet
of foot
 |
MINE:
Opposing players battle it out for possession during the women’s rugby match
between Systems Command (yellow) and Maritime Command (purple and blue). |
There
were some solid performances from ABWTR Holly Johnson and ABCSOMW Trish Muller.
By the time the full-time whistle blew the Systems side managed to pull
back a late goal to clinch victory by 6-5.
The battle of the big guns then
unfolded with the men’s rugby.
As the game was used as a selection
process for national competition, this was no place for the faint hearted as time
after time, attack and defence countered each other with some crunching tackles
and explosive running in the backs.
Although competitive throughout, the
Maritime side struggled to close a large lead accumulated earlier by Systems and
only a late charge in the last quarter of the match allowed the door to be left
slightly ajar to snatch victory.
This was not to be, and Systems chalked up
their third win of the day with a 33-20 victory to take the Lord Denham Cup.
The
pinnacle of the day was the Australian Rules match played in the heat of the early
afternoon.
As was the trend earlier in the day, there was nothing between
the teams and only a few points separated the teams during breaks in the first
three quarters. A model of consistency was POPT Nick Blencowe, who stood out on
the day with a great seven-goal effort to earn him the Darren Murray Medal for
MVP.
When the final hooter sounded Systems Command had bragging rights
once again with a 79-52 win to take the Victoria League/Jamie McGinley Cup.
RADM
Max Hancock (DCN), CDRE Geraghty (COMAUSNAVSYSCOM) and CDRE Kafer shared the presentation
duties to finish off a great day’s activity and enjoyment.
