On 18-19th June, 20 teams from all over the Country and across the Cadet services took part in the annual National Cadet Clay Competition. The competition resulted in an extraordinary sweep of victories for our Cadets and Staff Cadet Sgt Jack Harris in particular.
Success at Clay Shooting Competition
The Flurry shoot.
A month before, nineteen cadets, who had shown an aptitude for clay shooting during Annual Camp 2021, were invited to attend Cambridge Gun Club to try out for team selection at an event organised by County Shooting Officer Captain Molloy. Eight of these were selected and attended a training day the weekend before the competition.
Cdt Sgt Harris shooting, Skeet Competition.
The competing teams were from the ACF, Air Cadets, Sea Cadets and Combined Cadet Force (CCF) components from the school’s organisations. Each of these groups competed for prizes within their own organisations and for overall places and prizes.
Our team’s high performance was especially remarkable as they had had only two days practice. The national competition was also held at Cambridge Gun Club, whose support for this event has been invaluable and greatly appreciated by everyone who took part. Our teams were supervised by SMI Lee Harris, who along with Captain Molloy had worked hard to support the event, and SSI Alex Grogan.
Cdt Elliot shoots DTL
The events were: 50 bird sporting, 25 bird down the line (DTL) and 75 bird flush.
The highest scorers in total for each of the above disciplines were selected to take part in the inter-services skeet shoot.
As well as having a hugely enjoyable competition, the performance of our Cadets was truly exceptional. Cambridgeshire Team A won the team trophy for the ACF in Sporting, DTL and the Flush. They also had the highest team score in the ACF which turned out to be the highest team score in total, beating the schools.
Harris & J Offord, British Shooting talent scout.
Individually, Sgt Jack Harris scored the highest in the ACF – the overall high score going to one of the school’s competitors - leading to him being selected for the inter-services skeet along with a Shropshire Cadet. They went on to win this competition against the Air Cadets, the Sea Cadets and the CCF.
Staff Cadet Sgt Jack Harris said; ‘it was a really good competition and I’m proud of the team, very excited and very happy.’ SMI Lee Harris said; ‘ I’m over the moon, I have a massive sense of pride for the County!’
Cambridgeshire and Shropshire ACF winning teams.
Our Commandant, Colonel Lesley Deacon said; ‘this is a fantastic result for our County and proof of what brilliant cadets and dedicated adults we have. This competition is one of the many wider opportunities, challenges and experiences we can offer, and it is particularly great to see our Cadets taking these opportunities and making us all proud.’
Cambs ACF medals and trophies.
Text by SI Doug Stuart and Captain Molloy with thanks to SMI Harris.
Photos by SMI Lee Harris and SSI Abigail Bowen
