Shooting

Having spent every Monday since Christmas training for one of the biggest and most demanding competitions of the year, the patrols team felt that they were well and truly prepared fora tough battle. Knowing that we had a lotto live up to after last years wonderful result made the team even more nervous than ever. However now was too late to be concerned about the overall lack of confidence. Wanting to prove to ourselves that we could do well, a happy bunch of cadets were whisked away to a change of venue from Longmore camp to Borden and Ash On Saturday the team left the campsite to go down the road to Borden to complete a daunting looking command task. This involved `ducking' and 'diving', weaving in and out and generally shouting at each other. This was a good thing though as the team showed great enthusiasm. The 0.22 shooting was of an extremely high standard as we won this event. Next came the dreaded assault course, something that the team had been practising for weeks. The team showed wonderful team spirit and came in second at an excellent time of 2:35 minutes (13 seconds behind first position and 15 in front of third position). The first aid event and the military skills proved to be a lot more difficult than expected, subsequently our scores were affected for these two events. Next came the individual assault course, that again I left to the lads. This was an enjoyable event to both participate in and spectate! The day orienteering event was no easy walk in the country side, but a mad sprint to different check points around the camp. An excellent time was achieved with a great reward of a huge fry up provided by Mrs Wilkinson. After a brief afternoon nap, the boys had yet another event; night time navigation. This was a slightly shorter course that took place at 2130. Having seen the team off, Captain Miller and myselfgot back into the minibus to keep warm forwhat was expected to be a long wait. To our disbelief the boys returned after approximately 12 minutes out ofbreath but glad it was over. I, having not competed in any strenuous activity in the competition so far was told that at 0900 in the morning I wouldbe competing in a five mile run in ful kit with webbing, a rifle, a full water bottle, a magazine and a cleaning kit, followed by a shoot on the ETR. range. Knowing that I was totally unfit I was worried about letting the team down, but somehow we all managed to complete the run and shoot well, obtaining the highest score. The last event was another military skills event that involved map reading and the LSW. (Light Support Weapon) test. Having only one person in the team who is fully trained on this weapon, it was up to Harley and myselfto learn the test from scratch. This event proved to be a success as we won it. After a thoroughly enjoyable weekend the team came 2nd in the competition cup foroverall winner, 2nd in the CCF division and 2nd in the March and Shoot. On behalf of the team I would like to thank both Captain Miller, forhis excellent support, determination and cracking 'jokes', and Mrs Wilkinson for her all round enthusiasm and wonderful food as ever.

Team (as in photo):

D. Willdridge, J. Hamacek, J. Delaney,A. West, K. Slaughter, D. Wooton (capt.), H. Homewood.