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REME Stallions return to the ice
REME Sport
REME Stallions return to the ice
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Scribe: SSgt “Mac” McLuskey, Manager REME STALLIONS
As with all sport, the last 2 years have been problematic to say the least. Ice Hockey being an indoor sport was one of the last to return to training due to COVID 19. Ice rinks all over the country melted their ice waiting for lockdown to end and the government direction to change. In 2019 the Stallions won the title of Army Champions, and the intent was to work the team hard in 2020 to keep the title. The team went nearly 19 months without being able to put a team on the ice.
At last, in September 2021we managed to take to the ice for a training camp in Cardiff. It was apparent the team was
Cpl Lindgren (Corps Coach) briefing up the A team at the Army Cup
SSgt McLuskey being presented with Corps Colours SSgt Warden being presented with Corps Colours Corps Colours awarded to WO2 (AQMS) Gething
Cardiff training camp
far from Hockey fit, day 1 of training was taken up with basic skating skills and trying to get the legs used to being back on the ice. Ice hockey as a sport uses muscle groups that aren’t worked often and, in a game, we essentially fartlek for 60 minutes; so high levels of fitness always make the sport easier. The training camp was shared with the RLC Chiefs and as is always the way with the RLC there was as much banter as there was Ice Hockey. In fact, after one night’s activities it was agreed that 2 players from each squad would have the opposing team’s logo tattooed on themselves if they lost the John Edwards cup game at the end of the Week (thanks to SSgt ‘Ads’ Tallet for that idea).
REME A Team at the Army Cup
Training session
The John Edwards Cup was awarded to the Stallions by its founding member Lt Col John Edwards in 2011 and is to be played annually against the REME STALLIONS and RLC CHIEFS. This trophy has been our nemesis for years and as a Corps team we have won the Army and Combined service trophies more than the JE Cup. True to form, and after a closely fought battle the RLC won the game 7-6.
Although the game didn’t go our way it was great to get the team back on the ice. It was also an opportunity for Lt Col John Edwards to award corps colours to SSgt “Jimmy” Warden and SSgt “Mac” McLuskey for services to REME Sport.
In November the REME A and B teams took to the ice in the Whittaker cup (Army Cup) competing against the other 8 Corps teams. The Stallions won the tournament in 2019 and due to COVID were the reigning Army Champions. It was all to play for, and the A team opened their tournament with a 3-0 win against the Allstars. The B Team starting their tournament against the dreaded RLC A team came away with a 71 loss. The second games saw the REME A team tie the Infantry 3-3 and the REME B team tie the Sappers 1-1. In the afternoon the A team hammered the RLC B team with a 9-1 win and the B team beat the R Signals 6-0. At the end of Day one the REME A team were top of their group with the REME B being 3rd in theirs, a great first day.
Day 2 saw the REME B team losing to the Allstars 0-2 and the REME A team being knocked out by the eventual winners of the tournament the RLC A in a tight game 2-1. It had been a great 2 days of Ice Hockey and although the result was unfortunate, it was amazing to have both teams back on the ice and competing. Results saw the REME A coming 3rd and the REME B coming 6th in the tournament. SSgt “Ads” Tallett was also given a presentation from the Army Ice Hockey association (AIHA) for services to Army Hockey.
The last game of the year is a friendly game between the REME Stallions and the 8 Trg Bn Dragons. The Dragons have come on loads in the last few years and as the main feed to the Corps team these games are a great opportunity to identify and grow young, and sometimes not so young
Corps Colours awarded to WO2 (AQMS) Hannon SSgt Warden’s last ever game
A & B Teams together at the Army Cup
talent. The event also offered the opportunity for the Chairman of REME Ice Hockey, Col Tim Gillies, to present Corps colours to WO2 (AQMS) Rich Gething and WO2 (AQMS) Marc Hannon.
The team is officially back on the ice and in a short period of time have managed some good results. I am hopeful for great things from the 2022 season. Most importantly the return of the Tri Service Competition (TSC). The TSC offers the opportunity for Corps teams from all 3 services to compete against each other over the period of a week. The Stallions have won this before and we are hopeful for this year. In the evenings of the tournament the Inter service games are played, the Army “BLADES” lost the trophy to the Navy in 2019 in a narrow defeat during a penalty shootout. These full contact games are competitive and a great watch.
The first couple months of 2022 did not exactly go to plan. Storm Eunice and Franklin ruined our February training camp by destroying part of Cardiff Ice Arena the day before we were supposed to arrive. The increased tempo of Op deployments has also massively affected our ability to get the team together. We have finally managed to get a training camp planned for May and I hope this goes well and prepares the team for TSC.
Ice Hockey is an incredible sport, both to watch and play. As I’m sure most of my fellow SSgt McLuskey helping out the guys players will agree; it is addictive and for some, an obsession. The 8 Trg Bn Dragons and Stallions train at the Swindon Link Centre every Wednesday 13301430hrs. If anyone is in Lyneham for a course, or just fancies giving it a go please contact myself or one of the other committee members. I hope to have a great year of playing, and to bring home some trophies.
WO2 (AQMS) Gething during training
