Air Force squashes opposition

The NT Air Force team, back row from left: LAC Chris Wilson, 322CSS; LAC Kelly Rourke, 396CSW; FSGT Davena Irish, 321CSS; and CPL Anthony Shrimpton, 321CSS. Front row: LAC Simon Fawkner, 322CSS; and Andrew Hawthorne, 44WG DET DAR.

Photo by Bombardier Michael Davis.

AIR Force flattened the competition in the Northern Territory inter-Service squash championships, held at Robertson Barracks from October 19-21.

All teams struggled to obtain enough players for the event, but did so with a few last-minute additions – Air Force’s Leading Aircraftwoman Kelly Rourke started the tournament with her third-ever squash game, and one Army player had been lured from a gym workout to bolster her Service’s numbers on the final day.

Army and Navy contested day one of the competition, with Army emerging as convincing winners, 6-1. Bombardier Craig Cousins was Army’s star player on the day, displaying great finesse with his racquet.

The second day of competition was fought between Navy and Air Force. Although the Air Force team wasn’t particularly strong, it ended the day with a convincing 5-2 win.

The day-three showdown between Army and Air Force was expected to be the most exciting part of the competition, and it didn’t disappoint.

Air Force players were relieved to discover that Bombardier Cousins couldn’t attend on the final day, leaving Army minus its star player.

Air Force’s Flight Sergeant Davena Irish said despite her team’s 6-1 win at the end of the day, the competition was intense.

“[Army players] had to step up to meet the challenge and did so convincingly, with monumental struggles occurring between various opponents,” she said.

“Despite what looks to be a stunning victory, most games could have gone either way.”

 

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