Important wins: Army and RAF celebrate Inter Services outdoor hockey success

The British Army women retained their Inter Services hockey title thanks to a double strike from Welsh international Hannah Cozens in their showdown with the RAF.

Cozens, who plays civilian hockey in the English Premier Division with Reading, helped steer her side to the title with a 2-0 triumph in the deciding fixture of the competition.

Both the Army and the RAF had already beaten the Royal Navy women earlier in the tournament, but it was the Army who edged the winner-takes-all clash over the Light Blues. 

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Talking after the match, Second Lieutenant Cozens expressed how much the defence of their title meant to the team. She said: "I think it's massive, to do the back-to-back. I wasn't part of it last year, so this is my first Inter Services. So it's just great to be able to deliver and hold our title."

Both goals came in the final quarter of an absorbing contest as midfield maestro Cozens delivered in the final fixture of the tournament. 

Afterwards, Cozens described her two goals and pride at her involvement with the team, saying: "The first one was a carry into the circle and then put it bottom left. And second, fortunately found the ball top D, and just thought, I'm just going to hit it and hope for the best.

"Like I said, to do the back-to-back and first year with the girls, they've been such a welcoming squad, being able to contribute, it's just massive."

Meanwhile, the Royal Air Force men bounced back from defeat against the Royal Navy to beat the Army 6-0 and take the title on goal difference. Earlier games in the competition had seen the Royal Navy men beat the Air Force 4-1. The Army, however, had edged past the Senior Service 5-3.

Going into the deciding game, the Airmen knew only a big victory would see them lift the silverware. An early goal from Finn Carvalho fired the Airmen in front and from there on in, they never looked back.

In an open game, the Light Blues cut loose on the counterattack as Paul Goldie scored a second goal for the Air Force. A quick fire hattrick for the Airman's Scott Perry then followed, his first from a well-worked short corner. Perry's pinpoint precision from the set-piece continued as he added another to put the Air Force 4-0 up and on course for the title.

RAF PTI Perry completed his hattrick and scored his team's fifth goal with a close-range tap-in. Owen Stephenson lashed in a sixth goal, but victory and the silverware was already secured.

Following their victory, RAF skipper AS1 James Holt said: "We were under the cosh after the result against the Navy, but it means everything to us, the players, to me, the team, the coaches. It means everything.

"We just knew, if we played well, played our game, that we were going to come out and going to win the game. Just how much by – thankfully it's gone our way."

Victory for the RAF men means double delight as they claim both the indoor and outdoor titles for the season.