SO CLOSE
Air Force pipped in nail-biter

By Andrew Stackpool

Our rep players
Rep officials
FSGT A.J Smith is Assistant coach
Clp Paul Masson
and LACW Erica Smith
are Assistent Trainers/Strappers

LAC Jay Brookfield

LAC Matt Culph

LAC Josh Farmer

CPL Darren Nolan

CPL Aaron Power

LAC Matt Smith

LAC Brad Woodward

Leading Aircraftman Matt Culph attempts to break through Navy’s line during the first match of the Interservice Rugby League Carnival. Photos by LAC Euan Grant

Leading Aircraftman Jay Brookfield shows the swerve that led to his selection in the Combined Australian Services Rugby League side.

AIR Force’s chances of winning the Interservice Rugby League slipped away after a narrow loss in the first game, according to Flight Sergeant Aaron ‘A.Smith, coach of the Air Force Rugby League side.
The carnival was held in Newcastle from March 6-10.

In the fi rst match Air Force lost by 18-14 on a wet paddock to ultimate winners Navy in an action-packed slugfest. No quarter was given as both sides piled on three tries each.

It was only Navy boot leather and fewer mistakes that determined the fi nal outcome. “It was a disappointing loss. The team was still settling down and the guys from Tindal didn’t arrive until 1.30pm, which left no time for any training run before kick-off at 6pm,” FSGT Smith said.
“We had the better defensive team play and as a team we stood up well.

But we failed to consolidate and made a lot of individual mistakes that gave Navy the openings. As it turned out this was the deciding game of the comp for Air Force and, quite simply, we let it get away.

” Leading Aircraftman Chris Kluft and Corporals Anthony Piggott and Darren Nolan broke Navy’s defence to score tries, while CPL Nolan followed up his run with a conversion.

Despite the disappointment Air Force came back to defeat Army 22-14. The team learnt from its mistakes and held both the team and individual play take the match. However, with Navy’s win over Army 24-8, their efforts weren’t enough and Navy walked with the trophy.

CPL Piggott and Leading Aircraftmen Josh Farmer, Matt Culph and Matt Smith scored points while Leading Aircraftman Owen Storey made three of four conversion attempts.

Air Force player of the carnival was LAC Smith from RAAF Base Amberley, while LAC Farmer from RAAF Base Tindal picked up the Coaching Staff Award.

After the carnival, seven Air Force players were selected to play in the Combined Australian Services Rugby League (CASRL) side that took on Corrective Services on March 13.

The team was fatigued after several days of heavy league and depleted by injuries. However, despite tiredness in defence that permitted a higher score by Corrective Services, its recent play experience was put good use as it held on for a convincing 48-38 victory.

FSGT Smith said almost everyone who turned out scored.

Corporal Aaron Power and Leading Aircraftman Brad Woodward had particularly good games. “None of us were at full strength.

Operational commitments have stripped the ranks but everyone still strived to put the best possible team into the paddock,” FSGT Smith said.

The combined side will now tackle the British Army team in June, followed by matches against NSW Police, the Kiwis and the RAF later this year.

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