Women's indoor Inter Services 2008

This year the ladies team has worked hard out of the inter-Commands in October to then prepare for the inter-Services, this year held on home turf in Collingwood.  Keen to build on the solid result of second last year, the aim was to give the Army a run for their money and compete at the same level.  Two good training sessions took place with our coach, Shawn Hall and with a confident and close-knit squad we were prepared for a tough competition.

Our first match against the RAF saw Shawn's formula work to best effect with the team confidently moving the ball around with the forwards opening up great space and creating many chances.  The first of two goals came from a well taken short corner with Kate 'Bob' Newcombe putting away a drag flick.  After continuing to pile on the pressure a goal came from open play with a superb run from Suzie Bythell taking defenders out of the D allowing Sam Imrie to sweep a well placed cross into the goal.  The match ended 2-0 with the RAF never coming close.  A solid and pleasing result to take us into the later match with the Army.

The Army proceeded to destroy the RAF putting them under immense pressure breaking down their defence on every occasion and after a long break from the mornings' game it was not without a little trepidation that we prepped for the game.  We started extremely well and the game was very even for the first 8 minutes when a gap in the defence opened up and Fi Devlin was allowed a bit of space (more than she needed) to reverse push a rebound into the goal.  1 up for the first time in many years, the atmosphere in Collingwood gym lifted significantly!  The Army came back strongly and levelled the score adding another one before half time, after over 7 short corners awarded, our GK, Wendy Frame soaking up all the pressure.  Another 2 Army goals were shortly responded to by a converted Navy short corner and another goal from open play.  Even with 2 goals up on the scoreboard the Army still didn't look comfortable, and with the Army bench awarded a yellow card resulting in reducing the Army to 5 players we thought the tables had turned to our favour, however we failed to capitalise on the advantage and the Army fired up for what they saw as an unfair card, hit back with a fast run down the left and sneaking a fast goal cross the D.  The match ended 6-3 and with a few more minutes we could've come back with more.  But we came away with the best result the ladies team have had for 10 years and another second overall.  Suzie Bythell was named a the best overall team player by the team management for her unfailing ability to deliver everything required of her on the pitch.

A great start to our season and we now move forward after Xmas to our first training camp to be held at HMS TEMERAIRE.  For the first time in a while the Men and Women's senior will train together staying at TEMERAIRE in the newly opened Lottery Accommodation, a fantastic resource that will support all our team's requirements.  In the RNHA's Centenary year the ladies are aiming to produce our very best result on home turf next year at the inter-Services.