By
Bianca Anderson
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LAC
Brendan Christensen charges through two Navy defenders.
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Photo
by LS David McMahon
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DESPITE
losing to both Army and Navy in the Australian Services Rugby
Championships, the Air Force team has shown some promising indications
that it will be extremely competitive in years to come. Army,
the strong favourites, retained the crown after beating Air Force
64-3 and Navy 46-8 in the competition, held in Sydney between
May 9-16.
The younger Air Force started the match against Army with great
enthusiasm and a strong sense of team spirit that took the defending
champions by surprise.
As the game was played at Victoria Barracks, many Army supporters
were there to cheer their side on, while there were a few, but
determined Air Force supporters.
Thanks to the excellent defence, Army were limited in attack in
the first half, though they went into the break 17-3 ahead. Unfortunately
the Air Force had displayed all their might in the first half
and were overrun by a more physical and drilled Army side in the
second stanza.
Against the Navy, Air Force showed more of what they were capable
of producing. The team had the better of the first half in terms
of possession and territory, but a handful of poor decisions cost
them dearly.
Even in the second half, in which Navy drew away, the Air Force
continued to maintain the majority of possession and were rewarded
with the final try of the game to Leading Aircraftman Brendan
Christensen.
Air Commodore John Clarkson, President of Air Force Rugby, said
the experience would benefit the team. “With continuing opportunities
such as those provided on the recent tour of New Zealand, and
ongoing support from the wider Air Force community, this team
is one that can go on to beat both Army and Navy,” he said. “There
is no doubt that we have quality players, and, with a much younger
average age, I expect that we will threaten over a long period.”
Squadron Leader Tim Anderson, AFRU Operations Manager, said the
most promising aspect “was the number of extremely good young
players that we have found during our development program”. “The
average age of our front row was 21, our flyhalf is 19, our wingers
are in there early 20s. This is a team that will be developed
together, along with some very strong and experienced players,
into a really good unit,” he said.
| Air
Force was rewarded with the selection of eight players in
the Australian Services Rugby side, they were: |
| FLGOFF
Patrick Wall (HQSRG) |
| FLGOFF
Lachlan Melville (44WG) |
| CPL
Jason Bastaja (79SQN) |
| CPL
James Hood (ADFA) |
| LAC
Ron Marchant (2AFDS) |
| LAC
Brendan Christensen (321CSS) |
| LAC
Luke Troy (3SQN) |
| LAC
Ryan Espie (6SQN) |
Another
two, LAC Bruce Howkins (321CSS) and LAC Darryl West (3AFDS) were
named as emergencies for the ASRU squad.
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ASRC
Rookie of the Year LAC Ryan Espie.
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Photo
by Dan Wheelahan
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Most
exciting of all, LAC Espie, was named as the ASRC Rookie of the
Year and presented with the Van Gelder Trophy. At 19, he is an
exciting and skilful player who is bound to be a core member of
the Air Force team for many years to come.
