The thirty six young people aged between 14 and 18 from around the Anglia region competed to win the top team position in the annual exercise ‘Cadet Stretch’. In excellent summer-like weather they were put through their paces on the army training areas at Waterbeach and the Territorial Army Centre in Coldhams Lane, Cambridge.

The Combined Cadet Force teams from independent schools at Culford, Woodbridge and Kimbolton took on the Cambridgeshire cadets at individual and team tasks designed to test leadership, physical fitness and military skills. The activities included foot and sword drill, military knowledge tests, assault courses, initiative tasks and a night navigation exercise.

Once all results were in Woodbridge School were declared the winners with the Cambridgeshire ACF team captained by Cadet CSM Jack Maliszewski (18) as joint runner up with Kimbolton School CCF.

At the final parade CUOTC Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Simon Grey MBE presented each member of the winning team with a superb etched glass trophy bearing the unit crest.

Speaking after the event CUOTC Regimental Sergeant Major Lee Jay said, “High standards were set by the cadets at this year’s competition and that is the benchmark for the future. Next year we hope to invite a wider range of teams from other counties in the Eastern Region and provide an even greater challenge to the young people taking part”