RAOC Gazette - page 274
Image details
| Corps | RAOC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Journals |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | RAOC Gazette |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1980 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | Yes |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1980 |
| Late date | 1980 |
| Transcription |
THE CORPS ORIENTEERING CHAMPIONSHIPS THE I9S0 Orienteering Championships were held at Wendover Woods near Aylesbury. The area, owned by the Forestry Com- mission, is a heavily wooded section of the Chiltem escarp- ment and presented a physical and mental challenge to all the competitors. Almost two hundred people entered the event, some from as far away as Northern Ireland. Guest teams from other Corps were also invited to attend and compete for a special prize. Apprentice Thompson of the RAOC Training Centre who won the individual junior event. The winning team in the RAOC Orienteering Championships from the RAOC Training Centre. From the left: Sergeant Binks, Major Brightman, Major Lewis and Captain Walcroft. The overall standard of orienteering within the Corps is not high and the courses planned by Major Malcolm Gilbertson tried to take account of this, placing the emphasis on route choice and fitness—as opposed to fine navigational technique. Two courses were run, male competitors running seven kilometres with two hundred and forty metres of ascent and ladies four kilometres with one hundred and forty metres of climbing. Thanks must go to Mr Alan Puckett of DSCS for turning out in arctic weather to control the course. The day dawned crisp and clear and entrants were able to enjoy bright sunshine when not actually running. The good weather was only part of the splendid organisation by Bicester Garrison and co-ordinated by Captain Bill Gaskin. Brigadier Cooke, Commandant Bicester Garrison, presented the prizes and most of the undermentioned are now running round in new kit from the sweat shop. The Inter-Unit competition resulted in a sweeping victory for the Training Centre teams which took first and second places. DSCS came a creditable third. The individual event was very closely fought with Major Paul Wallace-Stock from MOD beating Captain Ian France of Vehicle Depot Ludgcrshall by just over one minute. Sergeant Binks of the Training Centre, better known as a cross country runner than as an orienteer, came third and proves a welcome newcomer to the Corps team. Special mention should be made of Lieutenant Colonel Arman who came fourth. Apprentice Thompson from the Training Centre is also to be congratulated as the only junior to successfully complete the long course, coming thirty sixth in the RAOC after only a few weeks in the Army. Captain Linda Kerlcy of DSCS dominated the ladies event with Privates Mortimer and Moffat of D Company 16 Battalion coming second and third respectively. The Royal Engineers fielded their strongest team for the — 217 guest event and carried away the prize with an hours lead over REME. It was, however, gratifying to see how well the top RAOC runners held up against strong competition such as this. There has been a steady improvement in RAOC placings at events throughout the year and we are now in a position to field the best team that the RAOC has had for some time in the forthcoming Inter-Corps Championships. THE CCRAOC R U G B Y CUP FINAL THE long awaited match between 1st and 3rd Armoured Division Ordnance Companies took place in Bielefeld. It had been post- poned from the previous spring because of prior commitments. Both Units were confident of success and the scene was set for a hotly contested match. The spectators at Oldentrup Sportsground were not disappointed: the match was played throughout at ferocious pace. There was little to choose between the backs of the two sides. The open play was characterised by fast running and hard tackling. After an opening burst from 3 ADOC, 1 ADOC maintained constant pressure throughout the first half. Gradually 1 ADOC pack achieved the upper hand gaining the lions share of set and loose position. In the face of stolid defence by 3 ADOC it was late into the half before 1 ADOC scrum-half, Sergeant Ferrier, scored a fine try following a scrum ten yards out. The second half saw a revival of 3 ADOC pressure. How- ever, despite injuries, 1 ADOC maintained their advantage. In the closing minutes 3 ADOC were kept from scoring only by desperate defence. 1 ADOC consolidated their position with two penalties, again from Sergeant Ferrier. And so the match ended a ten nil victory for 1 ADOC. Full credit to both teams for an exciting and spirited con- test. Brigadier Skinner presented the trophy to the winners. A final word of thanks to the referee, Sergeant Taylor, for so ably controlling the game and Major Heap, 4th Armoured Division Ordnance Company, for organising the competition. — |
| Book number | R0404 |