By FLTLT Mat Raffils
CPL Leo Wiapo showing his ballerina skills while trying to catch AC Richie Staunton. LAC Adam Wilson acting as his safety man.
The Air Force is very lucky to have within its ranks some very good sportsmen and women, and even luckier to be able to compete at Interbase tournaments in a wide range of sports. This gives us a chance to showcase our skills and love of the game, and perhaps go on to more honours representing the Air Force or even the NZDF. And it’s all part of the job!
This year was no different, as around 60 players from all sorts of different sporting backgrounds converged on Base Woodbourne for the annual Interbase Rugby League tournament over Queen’s Birthday weekend. Woodbourne has been the regular home for the tournament for the past few years, so a huge thanks must again go to the teams from Auckland and Ohakea for their efforts in travelling down to the Mainland for the three way showdown. Next year should see another Base have the opportunity to host and play in front of their home Base.
The tournament began with a match between Auckland and Ohakea, the first chance for both teams to show what they’re made of and stretch the legs after some early mornings and all night bus trips enroute to Woodbourne. The match was a fantastic way to start the tournament with some great skills being shown by both teams. The referees were there, Buck Beveridge had done a great job preparing the field, and the Woodbourne netball team were cooking up a storm on the BBQ and selling some tasty sausages. All that was left to kick it off was 80 minutes of footy, after which Auckland walked away the victors.
CPL John Ryan going over for a try for Auckland.
The next day saw Ohakea, battered and weary from the previous day’s match against Auckland, take on the home side Woodbourne. A great crowd came down to the fields to watch and cheer on the home side, and lucky they did as they got to see Woodbourne run in several tries and come away with a convincing win. Ohakea finished the match tired but happy, as their Interbase campaign came to an end. It was time to relax and enjoy a quiet refreshment for the Ohakea lads! W/O Keith Gell joined with the teams that night in the sports bar and was present to hand out player of the day awards and say a few words.
The final day of competition was the tournament decider between Woodbourne and Auckland. The Auckland players were coming off a days rest (one of the advantages of winning last year’s tournament) hoping that Woodbourne would be feeling the effects of their game the day before.
The game was an absolute ripper with the lead changing several times throughout the match. With ten minutes to go, Woodbourne were ahead 32 – 24 and it was all looking good, that was until Johnny Ryan got the ball and Auckland were suddenly in the lead 34 – 32 with a quick 10 points and only 5 minutes to go! Talk about close matches, this was one for sure. The Woodbourne players kept their heads up, and rallied one last time led by Charger Mockford who gave up club rugby for the day for the chance to take out the tournament. His decision paid off, as Woodbourne dotted down in the corner with about 2 minutes to go and regained the lead. The last minute of the match played out uneventfully and Woodbourne took it out 36 – 34.
LAC Alanson Smith trying to bust the tackle of LAC Adam Van Gelder.
Overall the tournament was enjoyed by all, and great spirit was shown throughout by all teams. Woodbourne won the Cook Strait Cup, awarded to the team displaying the highest standard of sportsmanship throughout the tournament, where off the field conduct is also taken into consideration. The tournament referees select the recipient of this award. The Keith Gell Cup was awarded to the most outstanding player of the tournament, which went to CPL Johnny Ryan, as decided by the RNZAF Selectors. The RNZAF Rugby League Cup went to the winners of the tournament, Woodbourne. Congratulations to the following players on their selection to the RNZAF Rugby League team: LAC Adam Wilson, AC Bryce Hesselin, LAC Ben Farmer, AC Tama Eramiha, AC David Miles, LAC Lionel Tiraa, CPL Jade Morgan, AC Peter Motuliki, AC Richard O’Flaherty, AC Caine O’Shea, CPL Kim Bevins, AC Marshall Tepania, CPL John Ryan, LAC Nik Walmsley, FGOFF Andrew Mockford, CPL Beaufa Brown, CPL Parata Ainsley, F/S Roy Robati, AC Richie Staunton, AC Mike Leonard, AC Cory Gent, CPL Adam Tavave, LAC Doug King, SGT Peter Lincoln, LAC Shayne Roberts, LAC Kris McCullough.
Huge thanks must go to WGCDR Jackie Ward and her Woodbourne staff for hosting a superb tournament. Also, the tournament was lucky enough to have very generous sponsorship from Mitchell Sports Power, 10 Wynen St, who are very keen supporters of many Woodbourne sports teams.
See you all again next year!
Team colours are:
- Auckland – Blue
- Woodbourne – Maroon
- Ohakea – Black
All Photographs by Mrs Rebecca Watson.