English and British Open All Round Competition Weekend 2016

There were many factors competing to distract shooters from attending these events, but none the less there were good fields for both days, some class shooting and plenty of nail-biting shoot-offs. The weather was kind – the heavens didn’t open nor was there any sign of blinding sun – though I think everyone desired a bit more warmth. National Director Michele Conway was in attendance to compete and award prizes.

Saturday’s course, the English, seemed pretty even with no obvious challenges. There was little wind to cause clays to flutter or take off and misses were evenly spread over disciplines and stands. There was one clear round on DTL, none on ABT, six scored a neat 25 on Skeet and three on Sporting. 

Kelvin Walsh brought home the winning score of 96 early in the afternoon but had to wait for Arnie Palmer in the penultimate squad before he secured the English Open High Gun. Arnie Palmer and Graham Stirzaker both scored 94 so entered a shoot-off to decide not only runner-up and third overall, but also AA class winner and Veteran High Gun. Skeet was drawn and Arnie Palmer scored 24 and Graham 22. Arnie achieved the runner-up of the match, winner of AA class and Veteran High Gun. Graham Stirzaker was awarded third overall, second in A class and second in the Veteran category.

The Ladies High Gun was won by Michele Conway with a shoot-off between Angela Agar and Kath Bright. Kath was the first to drop a clay so Angela Agar won second place.

Jake Whitelock beat Ollie Main by one clay for Junior High Gun and Tom Tristram won the Colt’s trophy with local shooters George Whatton and Alfie Thompson in second and third places.

On Sunday, the British Open, the scores were generally higher. The Sporting layout was changed from Saturday and the first stand, a high left to right midi with a left to right from the high tower to follow, caught out a lot of people – even some quite experienced shooters came to grief. Many misjudged the first single clay, the high midi, and even with ‘full use’ it escaped. Others found the flow from the midi to the high tower challenging. While there were five clear rounds on DTL and 12 on Skeet, there was only one on Sporting put in by eventual winner John Stanton, who finished with a lovely 98. He claimed the Senior and Veteran High Gun titles.

Gareth Maund and Kelvin Walsh, both with 96, shot again for second and third places. This time ABT was drawn. Gareth kept his nerve to win the tussle with a wonderful 25 straight.

Kath Bright, Angela Agar and Michele Conway were again in the medals. This time Kath won the Ladies plate, Angela came second again and Michele was third.

Henry Collins won Junior High Gun with 91, three clear of his nearest rival K Fallon. Ollie Main improved his score from the English by 13 clays and came third. T Woodcock was Colts High Gun with 80 and Kirstin Vogel and Charlie Soanes took second and third places.