GB FITASC Sporting Selection & English Open, Hepworth Hall

Hepworth Hall was selected as the venue for the first GB Team FITASC Sporting selection shoot for 2007; this shoot was also the English Open and cut off for the GB Team attending the European Championships in France during June. A good entry of 131 competitors took part.

The shoot manager and course designer was John Dyson who produced a competitive and balanced two day course. The course ran over three layouts, Autosporter, Lakeside and Willows, the later proved to be the more testing layout on both days with Lakeside proving to be a demanding layout on the second day.

All targets were visible and were sensibly set to test the competitors, with a good variation of speed, distance and angles; the refereeing positions where well thought out and there were only a few minor technical faults highlighted by the course assessor (Hugh Smith).

The facilities fell short of expectations for example the toilet facility was a shared area for both genders and the hygiene facility was not maintained.

The score board was maintained efficiently by Mrs Rose Dyson, however, the lack of any electronic computing of the scores would have delayed the final results considerably had Phil and Mary Rowley not been available on the Sunday to compile the results. The FITASC Sporting Management Team is extremely grateful to them for their efforts.

It should be mandatory for the grounds hosting these events to be able to compute the results on site.

The first days results were high scoring notably Mr George Digweed dropped only 2 targets Ex 75 with Martin Myers Steve Brightwell and Matt Hance hot on his heels.

Cheryl Hall and newcomer Sarah Hamburger were in close contention in the Ladies competition with June Speakman, Ruth Naunton and Dee Ward not far behind, Cheryl eventually pulling out and maintaining a 3-target lead finishing on 117.

Michael Simpson, Mark Winser, Sam Green and Chris Papworth led the Juniors competition with Michael causing concern for the seniors scoring a superb final score of 131 only 6 targets behind the Champion George Digweed on 137.

The Veterans was won by Brian Dunbavin 130, not so well known as the other Veterans, but he is definitely a force to contend with, pulling off a 4 target win over Neville Jay and Andy Shore on 126 with Dave Asher 125.

The Super Vets rankings was turned on its head by the arrival of Roger Ward, however Paddy Howe finished on 118 one target in front of Roger with David Payne on 116, check out David’s fancy art work on his auto next time you see him.

All in all a well-balanced shoot that separated the clear winners after a high scoring first day with day one having the better conditions.

The course was tweaked for day two and with poor weather from 11:30 on Sunday the competitors stuck with the task and must be commended for their competitive and family spirit.

Nick Woodward ran a raffle to raise additional funds and was ably assisted by Elaine Draper, this raised over £300, and both deserve a vote of thanks for their efforts.

Hugh Smith