Rifles Cadet Cup Competition

Over the weekend of 21st-23rd September, 11 cadets from Sherborne School represented their Combined Cadet Force at the Rifles Cadet Cup competition. Up against cadets from Army Cadet Forces from across the country, they demonstrated their knowledge and skills as they patrolled around Longmoor Camp on a 10 mile course, accompanied by Mr (Nick) Hall and Mr (Paul) Wilson.

Early on Saturday morning, the boys broke camp and set about their first activity of the day: planning and executing an assault on an enemy-occupied building. For the rest of the day they put their tactical awareness to the test as they moved between a further six activities, including obstacle crossing, first aid, observation, section attacks, explosive device detection, and shooting. As a team, they were quick to adapt to some unfamiliar situations which lay outside the normal range of their training, earning praise from competition staff for the determined spirit with which they approached each challenge; this was particularly evident in the explosive device detection task when, late in the afternoon, having been soaked by several hours of rain, they worked in near silence for 40 minutes to search meticulously through sand and grit for dummy bombs, all while maintaining an efficient 360 degree defensive perimeter.

While the team as a whole can hold their heads high for having competed, particular mention must be made of our senior cadets. Under the pressures of testing scenarios, poor weather, and a long day, the leadership of Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major William Bond shone through as he guided and directed the recently-formed team through the competition. In Cadet Sergeant Major Hector Hamilton, he had an able second in command whose calm and competent demeanour was noted by the competition staff.

Following the completion of the events on Saturday, the wet weather conditions worsened to the point that cadets were brought inside rather than sleeping out overnight, and the obstacle course scheduled for Sunday morning was cancelled. The Rifles did, however, still manage to provide hands-on demonstrations of some of their advanced equipment such as night vision goggles, laser pointers, cutting-edge weapon sights, body armour, and the Javelin anti-tank weapon system.

At the prize-giving parade prior to departure on Sunday morning it was Wiltshire ACF who took home the silverware. As first-time entrants – and as the only CCF (school-run cadets) present – the Shirburnians who attended had little idea of what to expect going into the competition; thanks to the capable staff of the Rifles and the boys’ own positive ethos, they enjoyed an excellent weekend of training and competition, and are keen to return next year.

Team list:

William Bond U6b (C)
Oscar Buxton L6a
Harry Ollis U6a
Hector Hamilton U6c (2IC)
Tom Dubois L6a
Crispin Newman 5c
Felix Ormrod L6b
George Wightman L6a
William Boer 5g
Henry Haywood Smith 5d
Joseph Eaton-Parker L6b