Opening day victories over the Royal Air Force paved the way to successful title charges for the army men’s and women’s teams at the Inter-Services Volleyball Championships.
While the women made routine work of their win, the men were pushed all the way in two tight sets before eventually prevailing 3-1.
After showing their class in a relatively straightforward opener, the soldiers found themselves up against it in the second as the RAF fought back to triumph 28-26. The third set was secured with relative ease, but the army had to rally from an 18-12 deficit to take the fourth 25-23 and with it the match.
“There were a few mistakes our end,” skipper Cpl George Morris (REME) told SoldierSport. “But we managed to apply what we did in our final few days of training to get the result. Our defence was also a lot better than in previous games.
“The RAF are strong, and it is good that we have been able to beat them this way. My personal performance was a bit scrappy, but I was glad for the rest of the team. They showed real fighting spirit over the last two sets and wanted the win.”
The Reds followed the result with a straight-sets victory over the Royal Navy to secure a second successive forces title.
Coach WO1 Kwabena Appiah-Bosompem (RLC) was delighted with the attitude shown by his players – particularly in their battle with RAF – and said the experience will hold them in good stead as they head to this month’s Crown Services tournament in Scotland.
They will again face their military rivals as well as the police, fire and prison services.
“They will all be coming after us as we have won that competition for the past three years,” he added.
“We know it is going to be difficult and will not take anything for granted.
“It will be our final test of the season. We started with the Volleyball England Shield and lost in the quarter-finals for a third year in a row. That was a bitter pill to swallow but we go to the Crowns with confidence.
“It is a competition that brings out the best in us and we will go there fully prepared.”
The army women were in fine form as they beat the RAF 3-0 without looking in any danger until they found themselves trailing in the final set.
While the victory appeared comprehensive skipper Maj Karen Tait (RAMS) insisted it felt anything but.
“We never take them for granted, even though they were missing key players,” she said.
“We’ve got quite a new set-up in our starting six. In the past we would have lost that third set when we fell behind, but we found the energy to get ourselves back into it.
"Some fresh blood has come in. We’ve had injuries and players missing due to deployments, but the girls stepped up as if they’ve been part of the team for years.
“You can only have six people on court so the challenge is to make the others feel as though they’re part of the squad. The energy they gave from the bench helped us to that 3-0 win.
“Our hits through the middle were key and we had a star in Pte Sue Todua (RLC); her serve was consistent, and she was so powerful.”
The senior service were also defeated 3-0 as the silverware was secured and, like the men, attention now turns to the Crown Services – where the team are also defending champions.
“If we play like we did today, that tournament will be fantastic,” Tait added. “Our aim is to retain the trophy and we have high expectations.”
