CONSISTENT SUFFOLK WIN THE ALL ROUND

The Suffolk Team, with Team Manager & Captain Dennis Meakings, and Rod Gifford, Cambs Vets winners.

123 shooters from around the region converged on the rearranged venue of Northampton Shooting ground to participate in the East Midlands Intercounties All Round this Sunday August 3^rd.

Unfortunately we had to relocate the shoot because of fixture problems from Cambs GC, to Northampton, and we are indebted to Martine, Pete and Roy for being able to accommodate us at fairly short notice.

The weather was virtually perfect, bright, warm and sunny with a few wisps of cloud, the only annoyance was a slight breeze that was just doing enough to play with the occasional target and as always, just as you were pulling the trigger.

The senior team title contested by 7 teams, sadly Leicestershire were unable to field a side, was an historical battle between Northants, Norfolk and Suffolk. These 3 heavyweights of All Round have shared the title out more often than not and you have to look a long way back in the record books to find a win from another county. Of course it’s not all about winning the team title as there are valuable points to be won in the Directors Trophy race, and this year it was Nottinghamshire defending their hard earnt title from 2013.

Northants shooting in the early squads set a target for the rest, Mick Russell top scoring with 91 to give his county a score of 496, but realistically you need a score well north of 500 to be in with a chance.

Suffolk with a strong team proved that in the afternoon, pushing the leading total to 525 with a succession of consistent scoring, Francis Alexander top scoring on 90, heavily backed up with Puff Baker 89, Robbie Manning 87, Rob Butters 88, Richard Hunter 85, P Mayhew 86, Darren Parsons 82 and J Abbott 70.

Norfolk shooting in the latter squads did threaten with some good scoring, Richard Bunning leading the way on 89, but sadly for them fell 11 clays short of forcing at least a shoot off.

So it was Suffolk’s title once again with Norfolk settling for the runners up glassware, Sam Green 83, R Woodlow 85, M Goddard 83, Karl Hagen 88, Kyle Woodhall Cross 86 and M Trett completed the scoring for Norfolk.

Ladies Team Champions - Lincolnshire

The ladies team event was contested by 5 counties, and this year it was the ladies from Lincolnshire who took the title just 5 points clear of the Cambs duo of Hazel Whiten 73 and Michele Conway 74.

Lincs leading lady and highest scoring lady of the day was Tracey Bridge with a superb 83, Janet Stennett 69, and Jackie Houghton 66 completed the winning line-up.

In veterans the Cambs team of Rod Gifford 69, Gordon Tate 80 and Brian Dunbavin 84 proved to be too bigger obstacle for the rest to overcome, as they once again took the title, next best were Lincolnshire just 4 points adrift, Alan Blackbourn top scoring on 81.

It was a similar story in juniors as the Cambs trio of Taylor Hedgecock 86, Josh Pearson 83 and Dan Mawby 77 took yet another Intercounties title with a 9 clay victory over nearest rivals Suffolk, Aaron Harvey top scoring for them also on 86 to tie with Taylor. With a tie for junior High Gun, count back was used to settle the draw, with Aaron narrowly coming out on top.

Many thanks to the team at Northampton, including the trappers and of course the refs that made it a very enjoyable day.

Round 2 of the Intercounties is next week (Sunday 10^th August) again at Northampton, this time it’s the turn of the Skeet shooters.

PRIZE MONEY

AA 1^st – P. Lovick 92

AA 2^nd – M. Russell 91

AA 3^rd – C. Baker, R. Bunning, R Franks 89

A 1^st – F. Alexander, G Moore 90

A 3^rd – R. Manning 87

A 4^th – A. Harvey, T. Jones, P. Mayhew 86

B 1^st – G. Maund 92

B 2^nd – R. McArthur 85

B 3^rd – H. Collins 84

B 4^th – A. Blackbourn 81

C 1^st – N. Grant 78

C 2^nd – S. Whitelock 75