Top end rivals

By Leading Aircraftman Greg Pierce

RAAF Tindal’s LAC Byron Oakley clears the ball with LAC Brent Mathews at the net for RAAF Darwin in the beach volleyball.

RAAF Tindal’s CPL Andrew Webber passes to FLGOFF Damien Johnson to avoid the defence of LACs John Granich and Dean Wright.

Photo by LAC Greg Pierce.

THE friendly rivalry between RAAF Bases Tindal and Darwin built to a climax of food, fun and sweat at their annual sports day.

Men’s and mixed touch football, mixed volleyball and mixed soccer were all on the agenda at RAAF Base Darwin.

The two outposts became closer recently when No. 322 Combat Support Squadron at Tindal was incorporated into Darwin’s No. 396 Combat Support Wing.

The sports day was seen as a way to build on the sense of teamwork and comradeship between the two bases.

RAAF Base Darwin Base Commander Squadron Leader David Anderson bravely led his valiant sports men and women onto the field to contest their title.

“It was an excellent opportunity to bring together members of the various squadrons that make up 396 Wing for a good fun day,” he said.

After initially chalking up victories on the touch field, Darwin felt confident of victory for the day.

In the men’s touch, Corporal Darren Dimmock, Corporal Paul Taylor and Leading Aircraftman Dean Wright scored convincingly for Darwin.

A defiant Corporal Andrew Webber from Tindal was all over the field and team mate Leading Aircraftman Nick Hayward demonstrated his determination with attempted intercepts.

His persistence paid off when he scored the only try for Tindal, but it was too late, Darwin taking the game 3-1.

Tindal was again defeated in the mixed touch, going down 3-0.

After a barbecue lunch, Tindal’s spirit lifted when they saw the state of the beach volleyball court and felt completely at home in the desert-like conditions.

They took the first set, followed by Darwin, and despite a lack of tropical storm clouds, the air was electric with both teams winning another set each.

Strong serving performances by Corporal James Campbell and Aircraftman Callen Burmester propelled Tindal into the game, and they were able to edge out the home side by three sets to two.

It was to the soccer field next for the title decider. Squadron Leader Anderson led his troops from the front, but it was not enough to stop Leading Aircraftman Hayward from opening the scoring feast for Tindal.

Another unanswered goal from Flying Officer Damien Johnson put Tindal up two goals at half-time, followed by Aircraftman Burmester kicking a superb goal early in the second-half, which made Darwin very nervous.

Darwin came back with a goal from Leading Aircraftman Dean Wright, but Aircraftman Burmester scored again for Tindal to seal the victory for the match, and the day.

Tindal will now defend the title next year.

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