Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service

THE ANNUAL MEDICAL SERVICES FIVE-A-SIDE FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT 15/16 AUG 2008

Tactical Medical Wing, based at RAF Lyneham, pulled it out the bag again and organised another successful RAF Medical Services football tournament. The weekend kicked off on Friday night at the TMW bar where we were entertained by Neil Diamond, not quite the real deal but our ‘sound a like’, Jason Searle did win the 1998 ‘Stars in Your Eyes’ show! Later, and in complete auditory contrast, the karaoke commenced which proved equally entertaining (if not a little bit painful on the eardrums)!

The evening was a great opportunity for catching up with old friends of all ranks and disciplines over a sociable drink (or few!) and some pie & chips. Sgt Goulden, ‘Da Management’, and his team of bar staff kept up with the demand from the thirsty punters.

Blurry-eyed players pitched up on Saturday morning ready and primed for action! Despite a forecast of rain, the weather held off enough for the tournament to be played out. Even the grey skies and impending threat of a downpour didn’t dampen spirits.

As no hangover is complete without a greasy burger, the ‘Grill Instructor’ AKA Flt Lt Gibbs and her team of Chefs: Sgt Philips, Cpl Butterworth, Cpl Abbott, SAC Watson and SAC Ness were on hand with the BBQ. The odd player could be seen sporting tomato ketchup down their fronts, not quite the pristine image of David Beckham, but rather amusing all the same!

Cpl Ford did a sterling job in the tuck shop along with her able assistant Aisling Foley, which went down a treat for those with a sweet tooth and in need of a sugar boost!

At 11am the alcohol licensing laws lifted and FS Fife along with Sgt Renwick opened the bar tent for a much-needed hair of the dog. Of course football is thirsty work and the bar had sold out before the final!

Sgt Kirkland and Cpl Weeks were the medics for the medics, on hand with their trusty magic sponge, tubi grip and some brufen. The irony being that the first casualty was actually a PTI!

Keeping track of the “Scores on the doors” was Sgt Brown, who added a touch of style to the day and put her GCSE Maths to good use. Carol Vorderman, eat your heart out!

This prestigious event was attended by AVM Evans (CoS Health, DGMS RAF). Sqn Ldr Scroggs, OC AE Sqn, was the VIPs ‘hostess with the mostest’ and was enthused to see the AVM step up to the mark and make up the numbers for the TMW ladies team. The Lyneham ‘ladies’ put up a good fight but were sadly knocked out by Colchester in the Semi final. “WE WAS ROBBED!!” Colchester subsequently went on to beat Odiham (A team) making them the 2008 Plate winners.

The wooden spoon (best of the worst) went to Lynehams very own Medical Centre who put on an admirable performance that placed them in a league of their own. Perhaps if they HAD been in a league of their own they might have won a decent prize!

An intense final was played out between Aldergrove and Shawbury with the referee, Sgt Bennett, having to keep a tight reign on the players. Both teams were clearly out to win, but Aldergrove proved stronger with a comfortable victory of 4 goals to 1. Perhaps next year Aldergrove may consider recruiting some ‘Medical’ personnel to play on their team! The clues in the title boys!

AVM Evans handed the winners (and losers) their trophies in a brief pitch side ceremony captured on camera by Sgt Aynsley.

There was just enough time to fit in a power snooze before a well-earned curry night courtesy of the Wessex Mess. The evening saw skills on the pitch transferred to the bar! A more sedate evening in contrast to Friday as energies were clearly running on reserves. The minds were willing but the bodies were weak!

Overall it was a great weekend enjoyed by all those involved. A huge thank you goes to WO Forrest, WO Leivers, FS Hughes and all at TMW for their efforts in making it happen. For those who worked ‘behind the scenes’ and are not mentioned in this article, you know who you are and you are appreciated.

Discussions are already underway for next years’ football tournament and promises to be an even bigger and better event, so watch this space!