Imperial 2025
CURA sees many individual and team successes during the 156th Imperial meeting.
July 12th this year marked the start of the 156th Imperial Meeting, kicking off with the Hopton. With 9 of our members attending the MR Imperial, 6 for the first time, this promisingly represents a 50% increase compared to last year. Although it was unpleasantly warm, the winds at least were quite calm during the beginning. However, on Monday not only had the wind changed direction, it also picked up substantially overnight, with many a humbling magpie (or worse) being seen up and down the range.
After the excitement of the Elcho, which we gained a front-row spectator’s seat to by helping out behind the point, came the Humphry. Despite many of our usual coaches being involved in the Woomera match this year, both teams managed to put together strong teams. After an uneventful late morning start at 1000x, Oxford were 6 points ahead by lunchtime, which they increased to 8 points at 1100x after a delayed start due to the rain.
Falling back to 1200x, the conclusion was by no means certain and all was still to play for – after all, MR matches are often won and lost at 1200 yards. With our spirits lifted by a motivational speech from our adjutant, Hannah Fisher, we put up a fine performance at the final distance, matching Oxford on points. Sadly, it was not enough to reclaim the Humphry, and we lost 827.53v to OURC’s 835.66v; though a special mention should go to Vita Chamberlain-Evans, who in her novice year top-scored her first CURA Varsity with an impressive 210.19v.
Many thanks to our adjutant Hannah, our coaches Charles Dickenson, Alex Cargill-Thompson and Claire Halleran, our plotter Tom Smith, and our many members and alumni helping out behind the point. Congratulations to Oxford on their hard-fought victory, and we are eagerly looking forward to seeing the Humphry back in its rightful home in Hawks next year.
Marking the end of the MR season with the Humphry Dinner, we barely had time to catch our breath before kicking off the TR Imperial with the Astor, which Joe Pattison top scored with an outstanding 105.17v. The Grand Aggregate started with the Donegall on a wet Saturday morning, which would become a bit of a theme in the days to come. Despite the uncooperative weather, CURA saw many individual and team successes, with Joe, Will Bacon and Ho Lam Yiu getting through to St. George’s II. Will also got through to King’s II, and 4 of our members were selected for various roles on the English team for the Universities National match. Our A team put up an impressive performance in a challenging Universities long range match to come third on the range and third overall in this year’s fullbore BUCS. We also won the Universities Aggregate, as well as the inaugural (and likely final) Universities Short Range match.
With 14 members shooting the Grand this year, including 5 novices, Chancellors’ team selection was bound to be competitive. An early morning start on Friday saw both teams underperform at 300x, though we secured an early lead by 8 points. Finding their form at 500x, and aided by not one but two rifle problems on our side necessitating a mad dash to Fulton’s, Oxford managed to narrow the gap to a 3-point lead.
Wind conditions proved tricky at 600x, with the mirage and flags blowing in completely opposite directions at one point, requiring a short waiting period while our coaches deliberated over the wind. Under their expert guidance however, our team put up admirable performances across the board, with none of our team dropping more than 2 points. Though Oxford put up a similarly strong performance at 600x, we ultimately prevailed by 4 points, winning the Chancellors’ 1137.99v to OURC’s 1133.109v. Will top scored for the Cambridge team with a 147.16v, a full blue score.
Our thanks are due to our adjutant Richard Vary, our register keepers Alice Good (GM) and Eisah Suleman, as well as all of our members helping with various duties behind the point and relieving the pressure on the team. Thank you to Oxford for such a well-fought match – you certainly kept it a nail-biter to the very end.
With the excitement of yet another Imperial drawing to a close, we celebrated our many successes over the season with the Chancellors’ Dinner. Enjoying Joe’s excellent poetry with our meal, and with plentiful wine to wash it all down, a delightful time was had by all.
1 The fact that Cambridge was the only university that entered any teams for the Unis Agg will be relegated to this footnote.
