After seeing the Royal Air Force celebrate an Inter-Services double in 2025, the army’s cricketers finally secured some bragging rights over their rivals with victory in their three-day match at Larkhill.
The RAF travelled south with high hopes having claimed the forces’ 50-over honours a week earlier (pages 72-73) and they looked to build on that momentum by batting first after winning the toss.
However, it was a decision they would soon regret as the soldiers’ attack hit top form – dismissing the visitors for just 89.
Spinner Sgt Denson Narayan (RLC) spearheaded the assault with figures of 3-14, while LCpl Jacob Clark (REME) saw 15 overs of pace bowling rewarded with 3-34. Flt Lt Sam Moorby top scored with 34.
The army then took a commanding lead as they hit 244 in their first innings thanks to 52 from Gnr Denzel James (RA) and 41 from Narayan, although Cpl Jon Hawk gave the RAF something to cheer as he claimed 5-49.
Trailing by 155, the airmen made a better fist of things second time round as AS1 Ellis Richards found his range.
The opener struck 14 fours in a rapid-fire 68 before being caught behind off the bowling of James. Skipper Sgt Ross Diver and Flt Lt Luke Hansford made useful contributions but Narayan maintained his superb personal form to take 5-38, and with James also posting 3-14 the RAF were all out for 211.
That left the Reds needing 57 to win and they reached their target in the 14th over for the loss of just two wickets.
