Cole's Christmas Column
As the Christmas season approaches and 07 draws to a close it is with great delight that we should all pass our congratulations to the victorious Under 23s. Under the guidance of Doc Cox, Owen Salmon and Bruno Brunning they overcame not only stern opposition but the weather in winning the Youth Inter-Services at RAF Halton. However, none of this would have been possible without the immense amount of work undertaken behind the scenes by all the TSG managed in her own inimitable fashion by Helen McClement. The Senior XV got underway on a wet and windy night at Birkenhead Park against the AA Wooden spooners, drawn from Division 2 and 3 clubs in the North of England. With Capt. Matt Parker(CTCRM) at the helm he steered his mixture of experience and youthful exuberance to a creditable performance in defeat. The Vets season continues to build in intensity with a successful outing against Havant; the last chance for players to catch the eye of the Head Coach prior to downsizing post Christmas. So to reflect on 07; the Seniors ran the Army close in, what was for the neutral, a great game at Twickenham in May. Billy May’s Sharks regained the International Overseas trophy in Dubai and the Youth won the Inter-Services. The Men of Air retained the Command Championships and RNAS Yeovilton won the Navy Cup. A year has passed since the sad death of Hodgy; for those of us who new him we still mourn his passing. So overall a success? Maybe, but more like the curate’s egg for this columnist; good in parts. On a personal note, I would like to wish the new DoR and Don Shaw the very best of luck in their collective efforts to win the Inter-Services and to all those who have helped me in my role, particularly Dusty Miller, a massive thank you. So to all my dedicated readers, in particular my lovely daughter Catherine, who is this columnists strongest critic; a very Merry Christmas and a fruitful and prosperous 2008.