Switch to Benson puts Oxford sides on home front

IT WAS a tough start for the Service’s men’s water polo team as they broke with tradition to kick off their Inter-Services warm-up campaign for 2023.

They returned with two losses in their opening two matches against high quality opponents in Oxford City and Oxford University, having swapped RAFC Cranwell for RAF Benson to play the fixtures.

Despite the absence of several first team players due to deployments and formal training, 11 players attended the opening fixture against City.

The team made a slow start against an experienced side and despite goals from captain Sqn Ldr Simon Almond, Sqn Ldr Trevor Down and Chf Tech Andy Huckle they found themselves 11-4 down at the break. The RAF rallied in the second half, taking it 5-3, to produce a fairer, if still disappointing, 9-14 result.

The match provided a great opportunity for three development players – Flt Lt Jack Platts, Fg Off William Sutton and Fg Off James Nicholas – to build their skills and following a further productive training session with Oxford University the final fixture kicked off, against what would prove to be another very capable opponent. l For further information on RAF water polo follow @rafswimming on Instagram.

The uni team comprised of players from several top national clubs, but in front of a partisan crowd the airmen made a strong start as goals from Flt Lt Craig Nicholls and Huckle kept the match close at 4-3.

Flt Lt Henry Elwell-Sutton provided some sterling defence in goal, and, bolstered by the none shall pass attitude, further goals from Huckle and Almond, assisted by Platts, rounded off the game to finish 6-15, a very credible result against strong opposition.