STUDENTS battled soaring temperatures to haul their way to victory in the Junior Leaders Field Gun competition.

The tournament, organised by the Royal Navy, saw 19 teams competing to transport a field gun and its equipment over a track distance of 85 metres in the fastest time.

The Chichester College squad competed well over three heats to qualify for the Plate 1 final.

There they completed a fast, clean run that saw the team finish first ahead of Fareham, Itchen and Salisbury Colleges.

It’s the first silverware collected by Chichester at the competition.

Crew captain Daniel O’Connor, who completed his Sports exercise science diploma at the college this year, was over the moon.

He said: “It’s fantastic. I could not have been prouder of the team as they have worked so hard throughout the week.

“It’s been an amazing experience. Everything you go through during the week – the sweat, the blisters, the dirt – it’s all worth it!

“Everyone should give it a go because it has been amazing. The attitude, the support and the motivation you get from the team and from everyone involved – it is brilliant.”

Wayne Hodkinson, lecturer in Public Services at Chichester College, who also mentored and trained the crew for the competition, added: “I am extremely proud of what our men and women have achieved.

“We have been competing as a college crew for six years, since 2012, and always achieve respectable results year on year – but this was probably the fastest Chichester crew I have coached.

“Many of the crew hadn’t seen a field gun before Monday, when we arrived for four days of intense training, but they just worked their socks off, put everything in to the competition and to leave with some silverware is phenomenal.

“It’s all about teamwork, and they absolutely demonstrated that every day – along with the values of Royal Navy: courage, discipline, respect and integrity.

“It's always an honour to be asked to take part in the competition, the Royal Navy do a brilliant job in organising it and supporting us - from the hospitality we were shown, to training the team, showing them the ropes and providing equipment. We are extremely grateful to them."

The Junior Leaders Field Gun competition is designed for young people, aged 16-24, who have either recently joined the Armed Forces, just begun apprenticeships with University Technical Colleges, or who are studying at local colleges. It helps to develop their confidence, as well as teaches them how to work as a team.

At the end of the competition, the college gave out two special awards to crew members who had particularly shone during the five days.

Ellen MacDonald was presented with the endeavour award, whilst Daniel O’Conner was named the Chichester College Field Gunner of the Year.