SOCCER SUPREMOS
Air Force wins state titles

Leading Aircraftman Steven Daly (left) looks to push past his Navy opponent during the deciding game between Air Force and Navy at the NSW Interservice Soccer Titles at RAAF Base Richmond. Main photo by Bill Cunneen.

The victorious Victorian Air Force team after defeating Navy.

Leading Aircraftman Nathan King takes charge of possession against the Army, while Leading Aircraftman Michael Kemp (right) waits in support at the NSW/ACT Interservice Soccer Championships at Richmond.

Flying Officer Sarah Horne (right) keeps close contact with the ball and her Navy opponent during the NSW/ACT Interservice Soccer Championships at Richmond.

A typical winter fog blankets the soccer oval at RAAF Base Richmond as a Navy player gets a heads-up against LAC King.

By Michael Weaver and
PO Vanessa Dickson

AIR Force is proving itself as a soccer supremo after winning both the NSW and Victorian Interservice titles.

Players will now aim to carry that form through to the ADF Interservice Titles in November at Randwick Barracks, where Army is the defending champion.

At RAAF Base Richmond from July 9-11, the Air Force men’s team successfully defended its NSW Interservice title after close encounters with both Navy and Army.

Air Force defeated Army 3-1 on day one and followed that up with a 1-0 victory against Navy to take the title.
Navy had also earlier defeated Army, setting the stage for the showdown with Air Force.

In the game against Army, Air Force withstood a strong start from Army and the teams went in at half-time at nil-all.

Air Force then got on the front foot in the second half, slotting three goals, scored by Leading Aircraftman Wade Beavis, Flight Lieutenant Troy Anderson and Leading Aircraftman Mark Peacock.

In the championship decider against Navy, Air Force again struggled at the start and throughout the first half.

A few stern words and some tactical substitutions during the break brought the team to life, with Air Force dominating most of the play.

Air Force had a few shots on goal, but it came down to Leading Aircraftman Michael Kemp who slotted the winner with 10 minutes remaining.

Air Force midfielder Leading Aircraftman Geoff Gillard was later named player of the tournament.

The Air Force women’s team didn’t fare so well however, going down to Army 7-2 and Navy 8-0. Navy went on to win the tournament in a penalty shoot-out against Army.

Meanwhile, the Victorian Interservice Soccer Championship was played at HMAS Cerberus in June.

The Army failed to show, which meant that only one game was played between Navy and Air Force, with the winner taking all.

Air Force drew on personnel from RAAF Base East Sale and RAAF Base Williams, with the majority of the team from the Air Force contingent at HMAS Cerberus.

The match was played under tough weather conditions with the scores locked at two-all at half-time.

At full-time, the Air Force won 5-2 after dominating the second half.

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