EAST MIDLANDS I/C ABT

HELD AT NOTTINGHAM & DISTRICT GUN CLUB

ON SUNDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER

The last few weeks have been a bit of an ABT extravaganza as the Lincolnshire ABT championship was followed up with the Derek Olivant Memorial ABT and now, this weekend, the East Midlands I/C ABT.  Torrential rain lashed down on our journey to Nottingham and District Gun Club so we were pleasantly surprised to find that by the time shooting commenced the rain had cleared making way for a sunny-ish sort of day with a gentle breeze.

Out first, it soon became apparent that the Notts senior team were on cracking form putting in 3 scores in the 90's backed up by an 84 so it was always going to be a struggle for the senior team to top that but, not to be outdone, our veteran team of John Winn, Marvin Houghton and Richard Gray were shooting well.  With 2 scores to count, John and Marvin scored 96 and 93 respectively putting them at the top of leaderboard. It is worth noting that over the last 2 or 3 ABT shoots John has scored 96, 92 and 96 and Marvin 94 and 93 so, as a team, they are a formidable duo.  However, there followed some anxious scoreboard watching as after 3 lines it was revealed that Norfolk's Rob Gilbert and Simon Owen could beat them but needed to straighten their last line to force a draw.  Both are brilliant shots so it was certainly a possibility but in the end both scored 24 leaving our vets. 2 points clear to pick up the honours.

John Winn and Marvin Houghton -Winning veteran team

The senior team put in a valiant effort but it was not to be.  Top scorer was our 2025 Supreme Champion, Trevor Hawkins, on 88 closely followed by Tom Shaw on 87.  Being the son of one of our best DTL shooters, Mark Shaw, Tom has an excellent pedigree (not meaning to make him sound like a labrador!) but has only recently appeared on the competition circuit this shoot being only the 2nd time he has shot ABT competitively.  Equally impressive is the fact that Mark and Tom raced back from Blackpool having spent the weekend enjoying the firework displays to compete for Lincolnshire.  That is the ultimate in dedication and we thank them for their support.

Mark and Tom Shaw - Lincolnshire senior team

Half of the ABT Team - Marvin Houghton, Nicola Mason, John Winn, John Mansfield, Janet Stennett & Jackie Houghton

Once again, the Notts ladies of Alix Selby and Olivia Stevens proved to be too strong for our girls.  All of the ladies enjoyed mixed success with some good shooting but each of them put in a 14 somewhere in their score which just knocked them back.  

Congratulations to all of our team members, you have done us proud.  Congratulations also to Norfolk for regaining the coveted East Midlands Directors Trophy.  Out of the 6 shoots which make up this competition they have scored maximum points in 5 of them - well shot to all of their teams.

Thanks, as always, to Carl, Linda and Kieley at NDGC.  It is always a pleasure to shoot there.