VCJ shooting victory repeated – after 62 years

VCJ shooting victory repeated – after 62 years

The prestigious Staniforth competition was first held in 1945 and attracts schools with CCF teams from across the UK to compete with 0.22 Ministry of Defence-issued smallbore rifles.

Made up of pupils from Year 10 to Year 13, all of whom took up shooting aged 13, they were led by captain of shooting Thomas de la Cour.

He was thrilled when the results were received: ‘I knew the team had done their best, but it was a shock to find out we had won given the strength of the other teams. I am delighted to have been part of the team that finally brought this trophy back to the College after 62 years.’

Richard Benest, the master in charge of shooting, and a renowned marksman himself, commented: ‘They have done really well. It is all down to their efforts as we don’t get involved once they are on the range. Unfortunately, there are only two members of the 1955 team still with us, but when we let them know they were both delighted.’

The team actually shot the qualifying stage on the afternoon of the funeral of Dennis Le Vesconte, whose family have since donated a new shooting trophy to the College in his memory.

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