The second ESP Selection shoot of 2019 was hosted by Kingsley Moor SG, Staffordshire and some fifty one Cheshire competitors made their way there.( Members from the Shropshire Clay Shooting County also were present for one of their selection shoots.)

The weather, early doors, was abysmal heavy rain and winds, and fears of having to wear heavy waterproof clothing was initially on the cards but fortunately the sun gods shone down on us and the weather remained fair for most of the remainder of the day.

There were fourteen stands of mixed varieties of clays, some technical with speed and angles followed by a much slower target to catch the unaware out. There was nothing out of range for the quarter choke throughout. 

Early competitors braving the worst of the weather returned their scorecards with Eddie Wilkinson on 89, Carl Vickers and James Woodcock on a 92 but most impressive was that of Mark Oakley with a stunning 96. (Very well done Mark and I hope that it was nothing to do with the fact that Kerry could not make it.)

Later on in the day saw a few more notable scores coming in, non more so than Vets Andy Jones and Mike Holland on a brilliant 93 and Junior Fred Whitehurst on 92.

As the day went on queues started to develop particularly on stand 9 which saw a simultaneous pair of a right to left rising midi and an incomer of about fifty yards away, hanging in the air for what appeared to be an eternity, the latter causing more misses than would normally be expected. Several attempts were made to repair a broken trap on this stand, probably the cause of the queues, but when the queue was fifty plus deep a decision was made to replace the trap.

I was a little concerned about the standard of some referees during the day, the fact that an absence of rule knowledge particularly on simultaneous pairs where the question of ‘First bird established’ when a clay is hit but no second target arrives should not be in question. Further more targets clearly hit should not be called a miss which causes frustration to the competitor. I know refereeing is a thankless task but a little more ‘hands on’ guidance and instruction before hand may be both appropriate and beneficial.

Overall we had another great turnout, a massive thank you to you all, and we now look forwards to our next Selection shoot at Garlands SG on the 19th May 2019.

Thank you Kingsley Moor SG for hosting this event.

 

Paul Ellis - ESP Manager.