HMS Seahawk Field Gun Crew have returned from the annual Royal Navy and Royal Marines charity field gun competition after winning a place in the closely fought finals, but sadly no trophy after disaster struck.

Competing for the Brickwoods Trophy, the men from RNAS Culdrose were running well and in glorious sunshine, when disaster struck the 18-man strong Cornish crew. Pulling away from the last “action” before the final run in to the finish line, a moment’s lapse in concentration saw their gun unhitch from its limber.

Crucial seconds were lost and Seahawk fell behind. Field Gun 2013 was over and hours spent training and hard fought positions in the crew had come to nothing.

“I was gutted for everyone,” said Chief Petty Officer John “Jumper” Collins, HMS Seahawk number one trainer. “We were going well just the last sprint to bring us home, up amongst the top three. But you’ve got to bring the whole crew back and that includes all the equipment. Leaving the gun behind was a disaster.”

Throughout the past week at HMS Collingwood, where final training before the competition is carried out with the other Royal Navy crews, along with a selection of Army and RAF crews, Seahawk had built steadily after setting a respectable track time at RNAS Culdrose.

As predicted they reached the final which was won by their Fleet Air Arm rivals HMS Heron, of RNAS Yeovilton, who swept the board with their cup and trophy haul.

“Field Gun is a fantastic competition demonstrating many of the Royal Navy’s core values – commitment, courage, discipline, determination, stamina and above all teamwork,” said Commodore Mike Mansergh CBE, Commanding Officer of HMS Collingwood.

This year the Brickwoods Trophy was run between 21 crews from principally Royal Navy establishments across the country, but crews from Gibraltar and Naples added an international flair to the historic competition.