EAST MIDLANDS INTERCOUNTIES ABT

HELD AT NOTTINGHAM & DISTRICT GUN CLUB

ON SUNDAY 27TH OCTOBER

 

An array of trophies for the winning teams

It fell to Nottingham and District Gun Club to host the finalé of the East Midlands Intercounty Shoots with ABT.  For the last two and a bit months the Lincolnshire teams have been pitching their skills against other counties, either in the East Midlands region or Nationally, and I might add, with considerable success.  Today it was the turn of the ABT team.  As always the closer counties are squadded first so we hit the ranges at 10 am.  For a change, we had almost perfect conditions for this time of the year, a nice smattering of sunshine with just a slight breeze to make it interesting.  Our senior squad started well with some big scores appearing from Jack Wilkinson, Stuart Whitehead and Dale Houghton.  In the end the Notts team proved to be uncatchable so we finished up very commendably as runners up 2 points ahead of Norfolk.  Jack Wilkinson and Stuart Whitehead continued their high scoring partnership from the National I/C ABT just 3 weeks earlier by posting scores of 96 and 91 respectively but were also ably backed up by Dale Houghton, 87, Gary Boardman (a late draftee into the team) 80, Rich Hall, 76 and Andy Jackson, 72.

The veterans did not have quite such an auspicious start with Marvin Houghton, John Winn and Brian Wilkinson all missing the first target out. By the end they had it sorted and came in with some decent scores.  Top scorer was Brian Wilkinson on 88 with John Winn on 83, Marvin Houghton, 82 and Richard Gray 78.  As team scores were gradually posted, for a while we were looking good until Norfolk, on the last squad of the day, came in with higher scores. 

The ladies team held their own, fending off the Notts ladies by just 2 clays.  Top scorer was Janet Stennett on 76 but well supported by Nicky Mason and Lizzie MacGreggor White.  Nicky is a new team member this year and is improving every time she shoots so it is really good to see her picking up yet another team trophy.

Lincolnshire ladies team - Janet Stennett, Nicky Mason and Lizzie MacGreggor White

This was also the final event which counts towards the coveted East Midlands Director's Trophy.  Sadly, although we were, and have been all season, well placed we could not hold off the mighty Suffolk so we have, once again, finished 2nd.  Congratulations to Suffolk for a campaign well fought.

For final standings - click here.

A big thank you to Carl and the team at NDGC.  As always the welcome and service we receive, from the kitchen to the referees to front of house is exemplary and today was no exception.

Thank you also to all those who have represented the county in any team this year.  You have all done us proud - we hope you have enjoyed the experience and look forward to more of the same next season.  Last but not least thank you to all the team managers who made it all happen.  You all do a sterling job - we could not do it with you.