Needing only a draw – or even a slender loss – against the airmen to seal the silverware, the defending champions crashed to a miserable 6-0 defeat in Aldershot as the title slipped from their grasp.

There was little sign of the destruction to come in an evenly fought opening quarter, with Cpl Scott Rawlings (REME, pictured right) threatening early on.

However, the RAF edge ahead in the second period courtesy of Flt Lt Finn Carvalho before three strikes in the third – two of which were converted by Cpl Scott Perry from short corners – saw them take control.

Perry completed his hattrick in the final quarter, and the impressive Cpl Owen Stephenson sealed the victory with a clinical finish across goal following good play on the left.

The soldiers had earlier beaten the Royal Navy 5-3, with the senior service later downing the RAF 4-1.

However, the light blues’ demolition job in the final saw them go on to claim the trophy on goal difference.

Elsewhere, the army had cause to celebrate in the masters’ competition as they claimed the men’s and women’s honours – the highlight of which saw the former down the RAF 7-1. The women also thrashed the light blues 9-1.

However, the soldiers missed out on the silverware in the under-25 draw, where the navy topped the standings.