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- HMS Devonshire 1st Commission 1962-64
HMS Devonshire 1st Commission 1962-64
- By Robby G
- Published 05/6/2008
- HMS Devonshire
- Unrated
Sports report
CRICKET TEAM
Our cricket matches consisted of four games in Portsmouth and the rest in America and the West Indies, so our none too impressive record is put down to the fact the West Indians are great players. Our first stop on our cruise was Bermuda, where we played Somerset C.C. L.R.O. Owen will remember this one, I think the bowler’s name was Wess Hall. It would not have been so bad if balls had been on the wicket. In America we thought we must record a win, but, alas, the West Indians were there too.
An interesting match was played at Portsmouth (Dominica) against the local village team called Vulcans. Once the mud pitch was rolled and a few cows removed to a- safe distance play commenced, with a few hundred school children as spectators. The result was a draw on a time basis, but thanks to a good innings by R.O. Thomas.
Our highest score by a batsman was 83; P.O. EL. Bagley had the honour against H.M.S. HAMPSHIRE, and the most successful bowler L.R.O. Osbiston.
The team was never down-hearted, they always came back with high spirits, in them, topic of conversation was the afters not the scores.
They say two new cricketers are joining next Commission --Chinese Players We Won Once and How Long Since.
RUGBY TEAM
A keen nucleus of the ship’s company formed the rugby team early in the commission. They have put up a fine performance and have never let the opportunity of a match pass unchallenged. At times we have even fielded two sides on the same afternoon.
Wherever we went abroad and there was a team to play we played hem. Bermuda, Barcelona, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Lisbon.
At Baltimore the team travelled over 100 miles to play a match. They had a fine reception after the match, stayed over-night and returned to the ship at Washington the next day.
In Lisbon we recorded a great win over Sporting Club of Portugal 8 pts. to 3 pts. A try by E.A. Titman was the best bit of interception seen this commission.
Our record against other ships is excellent. We have beaten LONDON, KENT, and HAMPSHIRE, which were among some of our best victories.
We have had some amusing incidents during our matches. There was the game at Philadelphia when E.A. Daley tried to bite off an American’s boot. Jim’s front tooth is still in the boot.
In Bermuda P.O. Trivett who, after a knock on the head, refused to be helped from the field, but fell every time we let him go.
Rugby Team’s Visit to Sporting Club, Portugal
The ship’s rugby team visited the headquarters of the sporting club of Portugal.
They were met by the director of the rugby section, and were taken to the trophy room. This glittering spectacle contained over 3,000 trophies, the centre piece of which was a four foot high solid silver trophy valued at
over £5,000.
They were then taken on a tour of the club and saw the club gym and theatre, the open air cinema, an open air basketball court, and the club boardroom.
A magnificent feast was laid on in the club restaurant and pennants were exchanged after speeches by both sides.
The club plays all sports, from football to chess, and is organised on a scale unheard of in England.
The membership fee, £5000 a year.
Makes you think, doesn’t it?
SOCCER
Our fortunes in the realm of football have been as varied as the teams we have played. To play and beat, teams with such names as “Los Arqueros Verdes” (The Green Archers) of San Juan and “The Kensington Bluebells” of Philadelphia; both with a very high standard of skill and then lose to a little ship like the BERWICK shows how fickle the fortunes of soccer can be. Tremendous fun all of it, especially some of the entertainment received at the hands of our hosts.
The varying stale of the pitches we were expected to produce football on during the commission was a never ending source of amazement. From the lush green of the stadium of Barcelona University through the mud bath of U.S. Men’s No. 3, to the bone hard shimmering rock of Corradina. What contrasts! Our interpart knockout in February produced some lively competition with enthusiasm reaching white heat. The Doctor reported that the sick-bay some mornings was like a dressing- room of the Gladiators of Old, with the contestants being patched up to face again the fray of the afternoon. All praise to the Operations Team for winning after a stern tussle with Upper Deck Team with a special word of praise for the M.E.’s, who certainly went down with colours flying.
Finally, a word of thanks to Ginger Greenwood, there is no doubt that all of us who played with him or against him this commission have been made better players by his skill, his infinite patience and continual encouragement. We all hope to see Ken Warnes playing for the Royal Navy one day.
HOCKEY TEAM
“We seek them here, we seek them there; what we seek are Hockey Players.”
The Hockey Team during our Commission has met with varying results. Opposition being at times a bit too strong for the ship, like Bermuda where we classified the score as top secret against Bermuda Athletic Ass. Next day they made amends by beating the Police 3-2.
A regular team was not always possible, due to certain commitments by players. R Mech. Ragg being a selector, did great work playing and turning out a full team, going nearly mad in the process. Have you noticed he has lost hair this commission?
An amusing incident, only to sailors of course, was when A.B. Fitchett was lying on the ground from a blow in the stomach when someone smashed the ball striking him on the forehead as he looked up. Both things being accidental, were very funny to everyone except him. No serious damage was done.
Our star players throughout were E.R.A. Rush and L.S. Twyman, the latter playing for a combined team in Lisbon.
CRICKET TEAM
Our cricket matches consisted of four games in Portsmouth and the rest in America and the West Indies, so our none too impressive record is put down to the fact the West Indians are great players. Our first stop on our cruise was Bermuda, where we played Somerset C.C. L.R.O. Owen will remember this one, I think the bowler’s name was Wess Hall. It would not have been so bad if balls had been on the wicket. In America we thought we must record a win, but, alas, the West Indians were there too.
An interesting match was played at Portsmouth (Dominica) against the local village team called Vulcans. Once the mud pitch was rolled and a few cows removed to a- safe distance play commenced, with a few hundred school children as spectators. The result was a draw on a time basis, but thanks to a good innings by R.O. Thomas.
Our highest score by a batsman was 83; P.O. EL. Bagley had the honour against H.M.S. HAMPSHIRE, and the most successful bowler L.R.O. Osbiston.
The team was never down-hearted, they always came back with high spirits, in them, topic of conversation was the afters not the scores.
They say two new cricketers are joining next Commission --Chinese Players We Won Once and How Long Since.
RUGBY TEAM
A keen nucleus of the ship’s company formed the rugby team early in the commission. They have put up a fine performance and have never let the opportunity of a match pass unchallenged. At times we have even fielded two sides on the same afternoon.
Wherever we went abroad and there was a team to play we played hem. Bermuda, Barcelona, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Lisbon.
At Baltimore the team travelled over 100 miles to play a match. They had a fine reception after the match, stayed over-night and returned to the ship at Washington the next day.
In Lisbon we recorded a great win over Sporting Club of Portugal 8 pts. to 3 pts. A try by E.A. Titman was the best bit of interception seen this commission.
Our record against other ships is excellent. We have beaten LONDON, KENT, and HAMPSHIRE, which were among some of our best victories.
We have had some amusing incidents during our matches. There was the game at Philadelphia when E.A. Daley tried to bite off an American’s boot. Jim’s front tooth is still in the boot.
In Bermuda P.O. Trivett who, after a knock on the head, refused to be helped from the field, but fell every time we let him go.
Rugby Team’s Visit to Sporting Club, Portugal
The ship’s rugby team visited the headquarters of the sporting club of Portugal.
They were met by the director of the rugby section, and were taken to the trophy room. This glittering spectacle contained over 3,000 trophies, the centre piece of which was a four foot high solid silver trophy valued at
They were then taken on a tour of the club and saw the club gym and theatre, the open air cinema, an open air basketball court, and the club boardroom.
A magnificent feast was laid on in the club restaurant and pennants were exchanged after speeches by both sides.
The club plays all sports, from football to chess, and is organised on a scale unheard of in England.
The membership fee, £5000 a year.
Makes you think, doesn’t it?
SOCCER
Our fortunes in the realm of football have been as varied as the teams we have played. To play and beat, teams with such names as “Los Arqueros Verdes” (The Green Archers) of San Juan and “The Kensington Bluebells” of Philadelphia; both with a very high standard of skill and then lose to a little ship like the BERWICK shows how fickle the fortunes of soccer can be. Tremendous fun all of it, especially some of the entertainment received at the hands of our hosts.
The varying stale of the pitches we were expected to produce football on during the commission was a never ending source of amazement. From the lush green of the stadium of Barcelona University through the mud bath of U.S. Men’s No. 3, to the bone hard shimmering rock of Corradina. What contrasts! Our interpart knockout in February produced some lively competition with enthusiasm reaching white heat. The Doctor reported that the sick-bay some mornings was like a dressing- room of the Gladiators of Old, with the contestants being patched up to face again the fray of the afternoon. All praise to the Operations Team for winning after a stern tussle with Upper Deck Team with a special word of praise for the M.E.’s, who certainly went down with colours flying.
Finally, a word of thanks to Ginger Greenwood, there is no doubt that all of us who played with him or against him this commission have been made better players by his skill, his infinite patience and continual encouragement. We all hope to see Ken Warnes playing for the Royal Navy one day.
HOCKEY TEAM
“We seek them here, we seek them there; what we seek are Hockey Players.”
The Hockey Team during our Commission has met with varying results. Opposition being at times a bit too strong for the ship, like Bermuda where we classified the score as top secret against Bermuda Athletic Ass. Next day they made amends by beating the Police 3-2.
A regular team was not always possible, due to certain commitments by players. R Mech. Ragg being a selector, did great work playing and turning out a full team, going nearly mad in the process. Have you noticed he has lost hair this commission?
An amusing incident, only to sailors of course, was when A.B. Fitchett was lying on the ground from a blow in the stomach when someone smashed the ball striking him on the forehead as he looked up. Both things being accidental, were very funny to everyone except him. No serious damage was done.
Our star players throughout were E.R.A. Rush and L.S. Twyman, the latter playing for a combined team in Lisbon.