KEGWORTH BREAK REGIONAL RECORD

In the regions Ruby year (40^th), I am pleased to say that Kegworth Shooting Ground has once again broken the attendance record for the East Midlands Regional FITASC Championships. The original record was set in 2004 when Lakenheath attracted 100 shooters, in 2011 John Wroughton and his dedicated team improved that to 103, and this weekend they have raised the bar even further taking the new record to 105.

On behalf of the region I would like to thank John and his staff for the supreme effort they put into every shoot they host for the East Midlands, and we look forward to awarding Kegworth shoots in the future. John’s reputation stretches far and wide a fact backed up by the distance some competitors had travelled, which included contingents from Scotland, Wales, Anglesey, Durham, Yorkshire, Lancashire and London.

Paul Zaitschenko shooting in the Spinney

On the shoot front, the two day event had contrasting weather; Saturday was cold, cloudy with a slight breeze, Sunday was freezing cold, cloudy, driving sleet and snow with a stiff breeze.

On day one Martin Doughty from Notts and Gary Greet from Leicestershire led the regional entrants with scores of 93, that was only bettered by Mark Winser from Greater London who shot a magnificent 95, in third for the region was Richard Bunning from Norfolk on 90.

In Ladies it was Ladies England International Rachael Willcock from Leicestershire who led the way on 77, the rest of the lady competitors were from outside of the region, but we must give a worthy mention to another England International Linda Grayson from Yorkshire who finished up on 87.

In Veterans it was Richard Watkins from Leicestershire leading the field with a score of 81; sadly we had no junior entries for either Saturday or Sunday.

Sunday was bitterly cold with driving sleet making conditions uncomfortable in the very least. Sam Wells from Leicestershire and Andy Buck from Beds coped best with the conditions but could still only record a pair of 87’s which was not going to trouble the result. The final result saw Gary and Martin all square, and as neither had returned to the ground the result remains unresolved, Kegworth are to hold a shoot off later in the season so we will keep you informed of that result, Richard Bunning's score from Saturday good enough to claim the Bronze.

Becky McKenzie (Bream) was the only regional lady to shoot on Sunday but was forced to withdraw at the half way mark, therefore Rachael Willcock’s score on Saturday gave her the Gold medal.

Sunday saw a big shake up on the Veterans placing’s with Brian Dunbavin from Cambs roaring to top the leader board to take the Gold medal with a score of 85; Wally Jobson from Notts claimed the silver with a score of 82 and John Wells from Leics the bronze on 81.

Once again many thanks to John and his team, and a special mention to the refs who really earned their fee on a difficult day and with a smile on their faces.