16 May 10 - Ripon Cadets Bring Home The Silverware
For local Air Cadets, Wing Training Day is always a big day, but this year Ripon squadron joined 700 cadets from the area and came away with a trophy.
The day is a day of largely non-sporting competitions where the Air Cadets of the 28 Squadrons within the Central and East Yorkshire Wing are pitted against each other to determine the best in a variety of events. This year was particularly special in that the whole Wing was being reviewed by the "big chief" of the Air Cadets organisation, Air Commodore Ian Stewart.
The events included a drill competition, First Aid, Aircraft Modelling and Aircraft Recognition. But on the day it was the mixed Volleyball that counted for everything in the minds of the Ripon Squadron.
It began well when the team was given a bye as their first opponents, Middlesborough squadron, were unable to attend their first round match. Next up were Whitby and Ripon disposed of the seasiders with a score of 15-4, followed by a convincing 15-7 victory against Driffield. The six-strong team then had to make a rapid change into uniform in order to demonstrate their prowess on the parade square, where they scored an overall third place.
Another quick change and they were back on court against the might of York, a squadron with more than four times the numbers of cadets to draw on. The plucky Riponians however fought valiantly and just when it seemed they might succumb, cadet Blackwood produced the "Blackwood Whack", running from the net to the back of the court to return the ball with such force that a very decisive point was scored. This spurred the rest of the team on and a further point followed swiftly to decide the game 17-15 in Ripon's favour.
Just a few minutes later Ripon were back on court in the final against Hornsea. By now they scented silverware and took control. Air Commodore Stewart watched the whole of a thrilling match from the court side and then presented the Volleyball Cup to the victorious 886 City of Ripon Squadron team as they ran out deserving 15-7 winners.
All of the Ripon cadets thoroughly enjoyed their day but it was made all the sweeter having that cup to accompany them back on the coach.
Ripon squadron is currently recruiting new cadets aged 13 years or older and volunteer adult staff aged over 20. They meet at the Cadet Centre on Clotherholme Road every Tuesday and Friday from 7pm - 9.30pm. Anybody interested should contact the squadron on (01765) 609622 or email the commanding officer at oc.886@aircadets.org. For further information, visit the squadron web site at www.886.org.uk
