Page 39 - issue05.04.2019

P. 39

Sport

RUGBY UNION
Six Nations joy for Amy

Plt Off Cokayne helps the Red Roses to another Grand Slam title

MARTIAL ARTS

COKAYNE: Back in the England fold after completing her Royal Air Force Officer Training
IT WAS another hugely successful bag overall. We performed well in
England women’s rugby union parts and scored some good tries;
campaign for Plt Off Amy but we didn’t put in an 80-minute
Cokayne after the Red Roses performance until the last game
crushed Scotland 80-0 to take the against Scotland at Twickenham.
crown. “It was great to start that game
STRONG-ARM TACTICS: Cokayne, who stormed in for the after missing the Italy match at
SAC Alex Smith (right) seventh try of the game in the 40th Exeter through injury, and where
PHOTO: GORDON ELIAS minute, had a varied Six Nations better to win a grand slam than
campaign, not in performances, in Twickenham?
Competitor of Year? Ah, I’m choked which she provided her usual pace “As far as the Inter-Services go,
and power, but being selected as it will be great to play at The Stoop
replacement in the opening two and Kingsholm, it should attract
THERE WAS plenty of action rest on their laurels, it’s time to awarded the Luke Perryman clashes because of her returning a good crowd and we hope to put
on offer at the RAF Martial Arts prepare for the Inter-Service trophy for demonstrating the to the England fold following her on a performance worthy of the
Championships at a jam-packed champs. Bring it on.” greatest fighting spirit on the BJJ qualification from Officer Training occasion.
Cranwell. In BJJ, SAC Alex Smith mat that day. in the Service. “We have had a good build-up
The event, which featured (Halton) fought as a purple Fighting above her weight in It is a mark of how highly and we’re looking strong as a squad.
more than 100 competitors, belt, securing four gold medals all categories, Dixon secured Cokayne, who plays at hooker, is We’re at a level now where we’re
determines selection for the – double gold in Gi and double a silver medal in no-Gi and a valued in the England set-up that looking at the fine details.
upcoming Inter-Services, this gold in no-Gi. bronze in Gi. she was selected in the starting line- “This week we had Tamara
year hosted by the Army at In Taekwondo, white belt SAC up as soon as her fitness returned; Taylor in camp to help with our
Aldershot. I am looking Jessica Day came away with a helping beat Wales 12-51 in Cardiff. line-out. She has 115 caps for
On show were athletes “ bronze medal and two golds. She then missed the 55-0 England and was a World Cup
competing in Karate (Kata and forward to the She said: “The RAF Round Four win over Italy because winner in 2014.
Kumite), Taekwondo (Patterns Inter-Services championships are an excellent of injury, before sealing the “Her session was invaluable and
and Sparring), Brasilian Jiu Jitsu ” opportunity for me to gain tournament in the starting side at I can’t wait to see how the girls put
(Gi and no-Gi), Weapons Forms experience competing at a high Twickenham. her lessons into practice.”
and Self Defence. For his fighting spirit he was level. I am looking forward to Cokayne’s try was followed by The opening match of the Inter-
Sgt Stewart Bonner, BJJ team awarded the Competitor of the participating in the RAF Martial a further five as England racked Services series is at The Stoop,
captain, was in bullish mood, Year crown. Arts Inter-Services in July and up their 14th Grand Slam, which Twickenham, on April 5.
saying: “Each and every one SAC Jon McGorian also attending more civilian includes five in the tournament’s
of the participants should be (Leeming), a black belt in Karate, competitions.” old format of the Home Nation n Tickets for the women’s and
as proud of themselves as I am secured the gold medal in the n Follow the association more Championship. men’s games are available at:
of them. A great event. Now is senior males Kumite (sparring). closely on Facebook @RAF She told RAF News Sport: navyvraf.navyrugbyunion.co.uk/
no time for our champions to Cpl Jas Dixon (Cranwell) was Martial Arts. “The Six Nations was a mixed navy-v-raf-tickets.

FOOTBALL
Nice ’n’ three-sy does it every time for RAF Vets in warm-up games

A STAMFORD double-header Stamford Vets 1 saw the lead halved, but in the Stamford/Rutland Select XI 1 out, a long ball over the top from
was the last hurdle for the 80th minute, the RAF restored Robinson found Dixon, and Pugh
Service’s veteran footballers to RAF Vets 3 their two-goal lead when a great RAF Vets 3 was on hand to tap in his pass.
overcome before the start of their run by Rooney down the left saw The game was nip and tuck until
IS match this month. rebounded to Pugh, who slotted him cross the ball into Tweedie. played a defence-splitting pass the 38th minute, when Tweedie
The Zeeco Stadium was the in from 30 yards. He played the ball between the forward to Stockport, but he was headed in for 2-1.
venue for both games, kicking off A better start in the second defender’s legs before rounding thwarted by the keeper’s legs. The second half remained
with Stamford Vets – a selection period from both sides did him and slotting the ball past the Two minutes later the hosts led goalless until late on, but Macek
of former Stamford AFC players. nothing to alter the score-line hapless keeper. 3-1 to the RAF. following a penalty kick, which did have one effort disallowed.
After a somewhat poor start, until the 68th minute, when the The second clash saw the Croucher could not stop. Then in the 82nd minute
the RAF took the lead in the Service side scored though a Veterans face a Rutland/Stamford The RAF responded quickly debutant McMahon broke
15th minute after good work Schofield header. Select XI, with the military side and were level just two minutes through the middle, finding
from Tweedie saw the keeper A 73rd-minute mistake by starting the better. later, after keeping possession Watkins, whose cross was fired
charge down his effort. The ball Croucher, in goal for the RAF, In the 20th minute Dixon and drawing the Rutland players home by Stockport for a 3-1 win.

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