RAOC Gazette - page 26
Image details
| Corps | RAOC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Journals |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | RAOC Gazette |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1978 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | No |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1978 |
| Late date | 1978 |
| Transcription |
RAOC (BAOR) WIN THE ELLIS RUGBY CUP FOR THE FIFTH SUCCESSIVE YEAR A much more relaxed Corps XV shared the opening stages as both sides settled to their game. RAMC, clearly aware of the skill in our backs, tried to keep the game tight, whilst we were happy to play it open. Dovell missed a relatively simple penalty kick and then a much more difficult one. The Medics also missed one. The Corps' only reward for a good first half was a Black try, converted by Dovell, which came from third-phase play after our forwards won two successive mauls. '^w 1 * Photo Captain Kerley, The RAOC captain—'Digger' Denholm—holds aloft the Ellis cup which he has just received from Mrs Evans, wife of Major General R, N . Evans, the DMS BAOR. THE Ellis Cup is an annual quadrangular tournament played over three days between RCT, RAMC, RAOC and REME. This year's competition was held in Berlin in glorious weather on the superb Maifeld which, for those unfamiliar with Berlin, is part of the 1936 Olympic stadium. Thanks to the excellent administration arrangements made by CRAOC Berlin and his staff, the Corps squad was able to train the day after arrival under their skipper, W02 Denholm, and pack, leader RSM Black. The first and traditionally the hardest game was against REME the following morning and the team selected was (all 3 BAPD unless stated): Corporal R, Tarr, Sergeant R. (Bob) Scott (SSD Viersen), Corporal P. Busuttil, Private D. Snape, Lieutenant N. Lloyd (Stores Platoon 7 Armoured Workshop), Lance Corporal C. Christopher, Private W. Powell, RSM W. Black (SSD Viersen), Lance Corporal R. (Ricky) Scott, Corporal B. Dovell, Corporal M. Oliphant, Lance Corporal D, O'Shea (Stores Platoon 4 Field Workshop), Corporal A. Bradshaw, Lance Corporal J. Watton, W02 G. Denholm (Capt). Replace- ments: Sergeant A. Fee (3 Armoured Division Ordnance Com- pany) and Corporal S. Turner. A dream start to the com- petition came from a third minute Dovell dropped goal to which the REME responded with a converted try, following some poor Corps defensive play and two penalty goals. In spite of much edgy play, the Corps came back into the game when Ricky Scott took advantage of REME disarray to go for the line for' a five metre penalty; he was held up but Bob Scott was not. REME kicked another penalty and half-time came at seven to fifteen to REME. The Corps settled down quickly in the second half but were unable to turn all round superiority into points and it took magnificent cackles from O'Shea and Denholm to halt certain REME scores. Our forwards gave us cause for hope when after a line-out and subsequent maul, Busuttil crashed over for an unconverted try. Further success put our noses in front and REME then attacked as they had to do; from one such attack late in the game, Watton chargd down a kick, caught the ball and crossed for the last try of the game, which Den- holm converted, to give the Corps a richly deserved twenty three to fifteen win. This was an excellent start for the Corps—the hardest game over and the team free from injury. The afternoon game showed, however, that there could be no premature celebration that night since RAMC, our next opponents, beat RCT more comfortably than ten to six would indicate. The same team was selected for the game against the * Medics * next day though the replacements were strengthened by Lance Corporal S. Hollinshead and Corporal P. Ella (both 3 BAPD). About to lose another line-out to Captain Bowles, RCT (pulling tongue), RAOC players (with white tops to stockings, left to right) S. Scott {No. 2 ) , Busuttil, Lloyd, Tarr, Snape and Powell. We continued to dominate in the second half and the Scott and Scott duet gave us another try after good build up work by Christopher and Ella, Dovell converted. Playing even more adventurous rugby than normal, the Corps attacked at every opportunity and Denholm, whose play was an inspiration to his team, made our next try when, following up two of his own clever kicks ahead, was hauled back on the point of touching down. Dovell converted the subsequent penalty-try, Like REME, RAMC were running every ball they had but their one real scoring chance was killed with another O'Shea smother tackle. Denholm weaved his way from twenty two to twenty two and Watton continued the movement for O'Shea to cross at the posts. Dovell converted and the final score was twenty four nil. In the afternoon REME drew with the RCT which meant that, if RAMC beat REME by thirty two clear points on the final morning, we would have to beat the RCT to retain the Cup. In the event, REME won comfortably so the Corps were certain of the Cup and selected the same side against RCT. Dovell put the Corps ahead with a fourth minute penalty and a converted Black try from a five metre scrum. He also kicked a penalty to bring the score to twelve nil in as many minutes. Orthodox threecmarter play brought our next score when Oliphant dived in at the corner. This was followed by Snape who dummied and charged his way over from a fifteen metre line- out. Dovell converted the latter try and the interval came with the Corps twenty two nil up. With nothing at all to lose, RCT were also running every ball they had which helped to make this the most entertaining of the six games played. The attacking rugby from both sides produced further tries for Bob Scott, Oliphant (2) and Christopher, of which Dovell converted two, whilst the RCT Army winger, Goody, ran in for two converted tries. The final score was forty to twelve to RAOC. The Corps' record was played three, won three, for eighty seven, against twenty seven. There were undoubtedly stars in the Corps side but to name them would be to under value the efforts of all the players who gave their all for the three games. The Corps' skipper 'Digger' Denholm received the Cup from Mrs Evans, wife of Major General Evans (DMS BAOR) and the squad relaxed that evening among the better bars of Berlin, |
| Book number | R0247 |