A TEAM of 22 volunteers from the Marine Society and Sea Cadets, supported by four Royal Navy volunteers from HMS Nelson, gave up a week of their time to pit themselves against one of the toughest sports in the world.

The youngsters left their schools and colleges around the UK, including Jersey, to form the first MSSC field gun crew.

They had their work cut out from the very start, as the first time they met was when they pitched up at HMS Collingwood in preparation for the Royal Navy’s Junior Leaders Field Gun competition.

The crew was led by Lt Cdr (SCC) Victoria Marson RNR, Headquarters Staff Officer Physical Training for the MSSC, while WOPT Ian Binks, Physical Training and Recreation Officer for HMS Nelson, was the No 1 trainer.

The young team got their first chance to examine and handle the field gun at the start of an intensive four-day training programme at which new skills and teamwork had to be learned while flogging themselves up and down the gruelling course.

But it all paid off when the crew managed to post a personal best time of 1m 30.9s which, although not a winner, was still a respectable effort against the other 13 crews which had members aged between 16 and 25.

Capt Jonathon Fry, Captain of Sea Cadets, said: “This is the first time that the Sea Cadets have taken part in the Junior Leaders Field Gun competition, and it is a fantastic opportunity to display everything that the Corps is all about.

“This competition is challenging and fun, and relies on teamwork, courage, a sense of duty and the pursuit of excellence – all the qualities we instil in our young people.

“They have competed alongside young Servicemen and women and have done brilliantly well this week.

“I am immensely proud of them.”

The field gun competition demands high levels of fitness and energy combined with precision and teamwork to ensure a safe and succesful run.	The Marine Society and Sea Cadets team practice their start during one of the training days at HMS Collingwood	The MSSC team and trainers line up for the camera.