Cambridge Gun club pulled out all the stops and put on a fantastic shoot for the Cambridgeshire Sporting Championship on Sunday 26th May. Mick put on a fascinating course that was pitch perfect using his skill as a groundsetter and imagination as a shooter to come up with a course that was absolutely fair, but challenging for everybody. There were 14 stands in total and something for everyone.....so not only did everybody get their favourite....they also got their nemesis too! Amongst the highlights (or low lights depending on how you felt about it) were a rabbit that rolled down a chute before disappearing behind a mound and rolling into a trench. The simultaneous towers with an overhead and quartering bird were particularly challenging. The trick it seems was to shoot early, turn round and shoot the second bird going away. The pair of floppy crows really got some people on the hop too, with many people completely misjudging it.

The excitement kept going right to the last minute with not one, but 2 shootoffs to decide the Champion and Ladies’ winner. A tie-breaker on the dreaded crow stand was the deciding factor. Steve Grant pipped Justin Bladen to the post with a great score of 8 ex 10 making Steve Grant the overall Champion on 94 + 8 with Justin taking Senior Mens’. Not to be outdone over in the Ladies’ corner, Jeanne  Watson and Sarah Christensen tied on 75 a piece. Sarah Christensen put in an incredible effort and shot 7 ex 10 so winning her the Ladies’ title.  Veterans' winner was Brian Dunbavin with 93, Junior winner was Dan Mawby on 84 and Colts' winner was Taylor Hedgecock on 80. In the classes Phil Gray was first in AAA, Andy Brignell was first in A class, Dave Shipman won B class and Dan Mawby won C class on an impressive 84. Congratulations to all winners!

Many thanks must go to Leslie Gifford for running the raffle to raise money for Cambridgeshire funds and to all those who donated prizes and bought tickets. The raffle raised £225 which helps us fund such activities as providing our Junior County teams with free county skeet vests. 

Mick and Karen probably weren’t responsible for the weather, but if they had been, we would probably have had the balmy weather that we enjoyed on Sunday with only a light breeze turning into warm sunshine. I think I lot of people will be packing sunscreen next time!

The whole competition really ran on rails, with no noticeable hold-ups or break-downs. Mick and Karen really did us proud so a huge thank you to them and their ground staff, catering staff and all the people who helped out on the day.

 

For a full list of scores including out of county shooters, click here