Pigs in element in mud

By CPL Darren Pay

Soccer team captains from the inter-squadron soccer match during exercise Arnhem Thunder, Corporal Joe Fantana, of No. 75 Squadron, left, and Corporal Darren Paddy, of No. 1 Squadron.

Photo by LAC Greg Pierce

NO. 1 Squadron has proved that not only can Pigs fly, they can boot big time as well.

The weather proved even Hornets aren’t waterproof.

1SQN was visiting RAAF Base Tindal for Exercise Arnhem Thunder 04. A date was set for a nighttime soccer match between the 1SQN Pigs and the Hornets of No. 75 Squadron for March 31.

1SQN had most of their soccer team members deployed on the exercise, but needed to overcome the hot conditions.

The weather during the day was fi ne but by late afternoon the clouds came over and made conditions humid.

The first half was played at a hectic pace with both teams refusing to give an inch.

Rain then came down, which made the game interesting for 1SQN as the majority of players only had runners on.

The player of the first half was 1SQN’s Leading Aircraftman Mick Kjaer who slammed the ball past a diving 75SQN keeper. The Pigs went into half-time 1-0 up.

During the break play promised to be more interesting as the rain came down harder. 75SQN players beamed as they looked down at the footwear of the 1SQN players.

Just as the referee was about to blow the whistle for start of play in the second half the sky opened up with rain that would make a duck sprint for cover.

Visibility decreased, making it hard for players to identify their teammates.

1SQN’s Sergeant Greg Dunn used this to his advantage as he managed to get past the 75SQN defence then the 75SQN goalkeeper and had only the raindrops to beat. He missed the right side of goal by 1m from the edge of the 18-yard box.

To his credit he continued on with the game after copping a torrent of verbal encouragement from his team and the spectators. Then Sergeant Anthony Bell scored 1SQN’s second goal.

By now, lightning was striking nearby, which was causing concern to the referee as to whether he should continue the game.

Mother Nature made the decision for him. Lightning hit near the base and the soccer oval lights went out. The game was stopped and 1SQN won 2-0.

Acting OC Wing Commander Steve Hart presented the RAAF Tindal Inter- Squadron Sports Trophy to 1SQN captain Corporal Darren Paddy.

Special thanks go to Corporal Jo Fontana, 75SQN captain, and CPL Darren Paddy for organising the teams and also to Sergeant Peter Ammenhauser, PTI Tindal, for running the whole fi eld on the sideline while calling the tricky offsides.

Congratulations to 1SQN for their win and the challenge goes out to any visiting unit or squadron to challenge Tindal and play 75SQN or 322CSS in any sport to see if they can get their names on Tindal’s elite Inter-Squadron Trophy.

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