Royal Marines Win Akrotiri 10s
The Royal Marines team became the 2008 Akrotiri Floodlit 10s champions when they defeated the Royal Signals 31 - 17 in the final. The team was managed by C/Sgt Jan Hicklin and captained by Mne Rob Lloyd. Jan had assembled a good blend of experience and future talent to represent the Corps and the players clearly repaid the faith he had in them. In the pool stages the team recorded wins against Akrotiri Griffons (60 - 0), Episkipi Eagles (28 - 14), ICT Catterick (42 - 5), RAF Odiham (50 - 0), 25 Reg RLC (68 - 0) and Nicosia Barbarians (28 - 12). During the group stages Calum McCrae was top scorer with 12 tries with Josh Drauniniu and Scot Llewellyn both pushing him close with 8 tries. However the backs would all acknowledge the excellent work done on their behalf by former U23 tyro, Ryan Wells, Damo Chambers and Gaz Evans who all worked tirelessly up front. The quarter final was against the RAF Chairman's Select and it proved to be a comfortable win for the RM team, 45 - 0. However the team really showed their determination and desire in coming back from a 10 - 0 deficit to beat the Royal Welsh 17 - 10 in a hard fought semi final. The win puts some well deserved silverware in the Corps rugby cabinet. Under Jan Hicklin's guidance they are playing good rugby at both the XV and 10-a-side game. They will now be looking forward to next season's Inverdale Cup where they will be looking to regain the trophy from the Fleet Air Arm.