The results are in for the CCRS Commonwealth Air Rifle Competition – and it’s a clean sweep! The A Team took first place, the Junior Team came second, and the B Team secured third. A truly outstanding performance across the board: the A Team dropped just one point, the Junior Team six, and the B Team 10 – all out of a possible 800.
The A Team: WO2 Freddie (Second Year Specialist – Year 13), CSgt Henry (Second Year Specialist – Year 13), LCpl Xander (First Year Specialist – Year 12), and Cadet Kitty (Second Year Specialist – Year 13).
Xander reflects on what proved to be an exceptional day for the A Team:
The A Team emerged victorious in the recent CCRS Commonwealth Match, securing the BSA Silver Trophy for an unprecedented seventh consecutive year.
The competition involved four targets per cadet, with a maximum possible score of 200. Three team members achieved perfect scores, with the fourth missing out by a single point. This remarkable performance marks the highest score Charterhouse has ever achieved in this prestigious competition – a testament to the team’s dedication and the intensive training effort over the past Quarter (term), led by RQMS Ridgers.
Our performance left the competition behind – we outscored the next best school by a remarkable 26 points, who placed fourth overall.
In another historic first, we achieved a clean sweep of the podium, taking 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places – an extraordinary accomplishment. This dominant result would not have been possible without the tireless commitment of Captain Burrell-Taylor MBE and her outstanding team of coaches: 2Lt Taylor, Mr Oliver, and RQMS Ridgers.
Well done, everyone – truly excellent results.
Captain Burrell-Taylor
The Junior Team: Henry (Removes – Year 10), Aubrey (Removes – Year 10), Alasdair (Fifth – Year 11), and Emily (Removes – Year 10).
Emily shares highlights from a memorable day for the Junior Team:
Throughout this Quarter, the C Team has been training every Thursday afternoon in the Air Rifle range. Under the expert instruction of RQMS Ridgers, we have made steady and encouraging progress, consistently scoring in the high 40s and often achieving the maximum score of 50.
The CCRS Commonwealth Match provided our first opportunity to compete – and we rose to the occasion. In a strong debut performance, we secured second place overall with a combined score of 774 points, just five behind the winning team. Notably, we outscored the B Team by 4 points, whose members comprised of First and Second Year Specs (Year 12 and 13).
At this level, the margins are incredibly tight, and even the smallest mistake – a rushed trigger, forgetting to test and adjust, or not quite aligning the rear sight – can cost the team valuable points.
Each of us had to shoot four cards, with five shots per card, each shot worth a maximum of 10 points. Because it’s a team shoot, every shot counts for everyone, which definitely adds to the pressure. Still, we pulled through and delivered a strong, consistent performance when it mattered most.
This result could never have been achieved alone, so I would like to thank all those who helped make it possible – Captain Burrell-Taylor MBE, WO2 Wilson, 2nd Lieutenant Taylor, RQMS Ridgers, and Mr Oliver.
The B Team: Corporal Louis (First Year Specialist – Year 12), Corporal Charlotte (First Year Specialist – Year 12), WO2 Alfie (Second Year Specialist – Year 13), and Lance Corporal Dylan (First Year Specialist – Year 12).
Louis reflects on an impressive performance by the B Team:
The B Team trained consistently every Thursday afternoon throughout Long Quarter (Spring Term). Under the skilled guidance of RQMS Ridgers, who dedicated countless hours to our development, we improved both our scores and our overall performance.
Our recent clean sweep – taking 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places – is a testament not only to our individual marksmanship but also to the high collective sporting standards we uphold at Charterhouse.
Last year, this same competition victory helped us become finalists in the Godalming Sports Team of the Year Award, recognising our sustained excellence in the sport.
This achievement marks the seventh time Charterhouse has won this competition, underscoring the team’s remarkable consistency over the years – despite regular changes in team members and captaincy.
A huge thank you goes to everyone behind the scenes who made this success possible: Captain Burrell-Taylor MBE, WO2 Wilson, 2nd Lieutenant Taylor, RQMS Ridgers, and Mr Oliver.
From registration and administration to range management and coaching, every aspect was delivered to the highest standard, contributing to the team’s outstanding results.
Our sights are now set on completing the required training for the final competition of the school year: The Ashburton Trophy. This is the most prestigious prize in cadet target rifle shooting, contested at distances of 300, 500, and 600 yards over a full week during the summer holidays. We aim to build on our recent successes – including titles as BSSRA Long Range Champions and Commonwealth Champions – as we pursue what could become Charterhouse’s 14th victory in this historic competition.
