THE CURTAIN CLOSES ON A DRAMATIC END TO THE SEASON

The Teams assemble outside the clubhouse.

Not traditionally the end of season shoot but to avoid other national fixtures a rearranged date was sought to allow counties to field their strongest teams possible. The prize up for grabs was the bragging rights for the Intercounties Sporting title with the cherry on the cake being the Directors Trophy.

Nottinghamshire held a slender one point lead over holders Suffolk, who in turn held a two point lead over high flying Norfolk who were buzzing from previous wins in the FITASC, Skeet and All Round, Norfolk’s task was simple beat Suffolk by two points and win on the tie break rule and hope that Notts have an ordinary day in probably their most un-favoured discipline.

The venue for the title decider was a very chilly Sporting Targets in Bedfordshire and Andrew had once again set up a great shoot with something for everyone, tricky angles, varying clay sizes and all set in the picturesque well maintained grounds.

Transfers to the stands - All part of the service !!

The first squads of Beds, Northants, Leics and Cambs set off on the 9am rotation and Ed “The Lovable One” Solomons was already ripping into the course and giving Leicestershire a good foundation to work with. Ed finished his morning shift with a superb 96 which he felt was possibly one light and there were still some big scores to be had. At the halfway point Bedfordshire on home turf held a small lead with a team score of 520/600 but Leicestershire were yet to complete with three shooters on the afternoon rotation.

The scene was set for the main contenders for the Directors Trophy as they set off shortly after the scheduled time, arch rivals Suffolk and Norfolk fielding quality teams, Nottinghamshire by their own admission slightly under strength. On my golf buggy tours round the course I took time out to watch both counties in action, both of them shooting superbly with some big scores definitely on the cards.

Meanwhile Sam & John Wells for Leicestershire were quietly notching up some big scores, it was obvious to me at least this was going to be a photo finish, a shoot off to decide honours was firmly on the cards.

Senior Team Champions - Suffolk

On returning to the club house, team captains and their like were hastily monitoring scores on the several scoreboards situated in the clubhouse and doing calculations. Early print outs suggested that Leicestershire had just nicked it, but after several checks and double checks it was Suffolk that emerged the winners scoring 536/600, Paul Simpson top scoring on 95, Jed Welham was next best on 90.

John Wells on 91 and Sam Wells 92 just got Leicestershire 534/600 over the line to give them the Senior Team Runners up and Norfolk Seniors 533/600 who had amassed four ninety plus scores must have wondered how they had not won, Richard Bunning on 95 and Ian Hallwood on 94 leading the way for the Norfolk team.

Some of the Leicestershire Team along with Ben Wells.

In Ladies it was the Norfolk girls who just overcame nearest rivals Suffolk to the team title, Sue Hallwood top scored on 82 and was ably backed up by Amanda Crown to leave them five points clear of the Suffolk duo of Pearl Butters 76 and Pauline Chapman 79.

Some of the members of the Winning Norfolk Juniors and Ladies teams.

In Juniors it was Jake Moore of Norfolk who was the deciding factor, his superb score of 91 not only gave him the Junior High Gun Trophy but he led the way for the rest of his team mates to secure victory, George Townsend 69 was the next score to count, Harry Moore and Will Reeve completed the winning line up.

Leicestershire Veterans completed a superb season by winning their third team title of the year, this time is was Steve Brightwell who led the charge on 93, Richard Watkins 82 and Pip Jones 69 completed the five point victory over nearest rivals Bedfordshire.

Finally I would just like to thank Sporting Targets and all the staff and referees for a superb days shooting and a fitting end to the season.

Please follow the link to the Sporting Targets website for a list of all the days’ scores plus the money list of all the winners which totalled a staggering £1,765.

Look out for the final Directors Trophy result which is currently subject to a large degree of scrutiny.