PAUL SIMPSON WINS A SCORCHER

A misty start to the day gave way to scorching hot and sticky conditions with not even the benefit of a breeze to cool down the 148 shooters who made their way to Grange Farm for the Regional Sporting Championships. Fifteen stands of well presented targets proved no obstacle for some quality shooting from Paul Simpson who only let three targets get the better of him to take the overall title. Hot on his heels in the silver medal position was Leicestershire hotshot Ben Husthwaite a solitary clay behind with fellow county shooter Gary Greet back in third.Only three regional  shooters fought out the ladies title and at the end of the day only three clays separated the trio, Leic's shooter Maxine Woolley ran out the victor on 57, Bex Lee from Northants bettered her bronze medal in the skeet doubles last week at Nottingham to take the silver medal and Diane Curtis wife of ground owner Brian had to settle for the bronze.

PAUL SIMPSON

A good turnout of vets led to a tight result with Ray Curry 87 just doing enough to beat Andy Harvison by a single target, Nott’s regular Dave Sayer back in third and bronze medal position.

Ross Ingamells was almost a class apart from a large junior entry and took the junior honours on a highly impressive 92, second place went to Tristram Allen from Leicestershire. Third place was a tie between former junior Champion James Hinkins and Northants junior Simon Edwards, as both shooters had left the ground no shoot off could be held and it was left to count back to decide Simon the bronze medal winner.

ROSS INGAMELLS

Finally many thanks to Adam and Brian and all the team at Grange Farm for a very enjoyable if very hot day.