Soon after, the results for the CCRS Cadet forces .22 Trophy were announced with all three Bradfield teams finishing in the top seven. The ‘A’ team placed first, winning the trophy and five gold medals, the ‘B’ team finished fourth overall to win the Salver and five bronze medals while the ‘C’ team placed seventh and were the highest ranked third team in the whole competition. At the same time, we were told a College team had won the Staniforth Trophy for the second year running.
The summer saw us switch to full bore at Bisley. On 14 May a team shot in the Clayton Challenge and Surrey Schools/Cadets Open. The Surrey/Cadets Open saw the team of Matthew (E), Keisha, Rory and Maya fire their way to the Epsom Challenge Cup while Keisha also shot the second-best individual score and received a silver medal. The following day the Berkshire County Championships proved to be a very successful tournament for the shooters. Ten firers took part shooting at 300, 500, 600, 900 and 1000 yards. Every cadet performed well and our newer shots learnt a lot on what was another great day for Bradfield with multiple team victories, trophies and medals at all five distances. Keisha was outstanding at short range and her and Matthew’s performances meant they went on to represent Berkshire later that month earning their County flashes in the process.
When I started in Faulkner’s I did not think I would be shooting for Great Britain.
The Hampshire Open was the team’s final run out before the Schools Meeting in July. Nine firers gained valuable experience shooting while also self-coaching at 300, 600, 900 and 1000 yards. Five cadet medals were won while there was also a team victory at long range.
At this stage Roanna (M) who, along with other Faulkner’s shots, had impressed all year was presented with the Newcomer of the Year Cup.
Having prepared meticulously for the competition, our cadets got off to the best possible start in at the Schools Meeting in the Ashburton Challenge Shield, shooting a 232&9v’s at 300 yards to top the early leader board and the team didn’t look back. They followed up by extending their lead with a score of 234&7v’s in tricky conditions at 600 yards before keeping their composure at 500 yards to win the title by a sizable margin.
Maya, who whilst at Bisley ranges in April received her trophy as top cadet at short range in the grand aggregate during the 2021 Imperial Meeting, was the top shot in the Ashburton competition with an outstanding 95&5v’s.
Our shooting coach is a great teacher, a great leader and really drives the passion that the cadets have for this sport. When you’ve got someone who cares so much about making sure the pupils are enjoying the sport and doing well it makes you really want to give back.
The Imperial Meeting was also a memorable one for Old Bradfieldian and former Captain Annabel Morriss (J 17-21), the Donaldson Memorial Trophy winner and top cadet at long range in the grand aggregate at the 2021 Imperial Meeting. In this year’s Queen’s Final her superb 71&6v’s at 1000 yards saw her finish 20th overall. There was to be further achievements by OB shooters later that summer with Christina Cuming (M 15-20) being selected to shoot for Great Britain on their tour of Canada which will take place in 2023; just reward for all her hard work honing her skills on her target rifle.
