NORTH REGION SELECTION SHOOT (2) PARK LODGE SS - 20/21 ST
JUNE 2015
Phew! What can you say? A challenging, technically demanding, and
ultimately very entertaining England Team/ North Region selection shoot
– with ‘proper’ targets, designed to bring out the best from those who
could hold it together throughout all 13 stands. There was no room for
complacency, and any drop in concentration meant you came a cropper.
The weather did not help - the seemingly low scores were down to the
wet and breezy conditions on Saturday, with a complete change of wind
direction and strength on Sunday, ensuring that nearly all 270+
competitors went back to the Clubhouse some 10-15 targets adrift of
where expected, depending on which day they shot. That said, there
was nothing but positive comments about the target combinations that
Kevin Jobling had conjured up, using his vast experience of clay
shooting at all levels. Every stand was tricky, but Stand 13 - a low blaze
left to right with a long rangey standard right to left (which needed
everything from a five-barred gate to a double decker bus in terms of
‘lead’, depending on who you spoke to) and Stand 5 – the 110’ tower
with a high standard ‘driven’ and the new 70 mm clay from Promatic
quartering away on report, were the stand-out targets for most, with only
a handful of ‘straights’ over the two days on each.
Kevin had predicted a winning total near the 93 mark, but the conditions
put paid to that. Arnie Palmer posted a 87 early on Saturday and Ben
Husthwaite (86) gave it a good go during one of the wetter spells, also
on Saturday, but Arnie’s total went unbeaten to the last.
For the North Region, Josh Bridges added to his FITASC victory in
Juniors the previous weekend here, and his score of 82 is the one from
which points towards the North Team averages will be calculated. In the
remaining categories, Linda Grayson was top Lady, on 71, top Veteran
was Graham Stirzaker with 77, and in Juniors - Josh already mentioned.
This shoot is another ‘feather in the cap’ for Tom and Sharon at Park
Lodge, who have put down a clear marker that the ground, excellent
facilities and magnificent Clubhouse are destined for bigger and better
things in the future. Terry Deakin