This year the English Match included our inaugural benchrest competition. We were not sure how many would enter, or how many prizes would be needed, but several people have mentioned that it would be a good idea. So we were pleasantly suprised when twelve competitors entered! Many thanks go to Malcolm Brain for making the benchrest prizes for us.
In total 35 competitors attended over the two days of the competition. The weather was good: not too much wind, not too bright, not too dark, rain stayed away, although perhaps a bit on the cool side. The furthest competitor was an ex-member who came all the way from Swaffham in Norfolk.
Prize display with the new benchrest trophies engraved on slate. (Image: Mike Kettle)
Adrian Pamment (Colchester) led Class A at the end of the weekend, one point ahead of David White (EGTSC). David, in turn, was one point ahead of Hamish Matheson (Chichester). Class B was won by Robin Evans (EGTSC), and Class C by Marie Featherstone (EGTSC). Although he had a bit more competition, Grant Featherstone (EGTSC) won Class D.
The Ladies Handicap was won by Marie Featherstone by 1.60 points ahead of the field. Although it is also a handicap competition the first three places in the Veterans came in in the same order as Class A!
Class A kept the competition close in the Open Pairs competiton with a tie on 1,173 points. It was won on count-back by Adrian Pamment and Robin Hackshall (Colchester).
Benchrest
As the firing point is a little narrow it was felt prudent to put the BR tables on firing points 16, 17, & 18 to minimise traffic having to go past them. This seemed to work fairly well and also kept them in a relatively sheltered part of the range.
I have scored BR targets before but it was interesting to see entry forms coming in where most of them quote an average of 99.x!
Close-up of the Benchrest Trophy (Image: Mike Kettle)
As you can see from the scores there were a significant number of 100s scored along with a few 200s, the Xs being needed to separate them.
Overall it seemed to go well with only a couple of minor issues being noted. We will make changes where possible and make more information available prior to the shoot next time.
Full results for both competitions are available here.
Homemade lemon drizzle cake! (Image: Mike Kettle)
There was the usual trade in bacon rolls, cake, fresh fruit and hot drinks.
Many thanks, as always, to everyone that helped organise / run the shoot.
