FITASC Sporting Selection Shoot Southern Counties
April 14 & 15 2007by Hugh Smith
The listing was posted by British International Clay Target Shooting Federation
The shoot manager and course designer was Mr Kevin Newton assisted by Mrs Anthea Hillyer. Kevin produced an outstanding first and second day course. The competition ran over layouts named Trap, Tower and Ponds with the Tower layout proving to be the most demanding course on the first day and all three courses evenly balanced on the second day. Worthy of note was the effort put in by the grounds staff in preparation of the shooting arenas for this event, including, a large scaffold shooting position on the Trap layout (stand two). This stand was the only shooting position repeated on the second day, all targets however were changed and not repeated. There were no other competitions run at the Southern Counties during this event ensuring maximum ground usage for the selection shoot. Hugh Smith assessed the targets on Friday the 13, all targets where of a ‘World’ class standard, visible with varying speeds, distance, colours and angles, it was not necessary to make any changes during the inspection. The facilities at Southern Counties are conducive with a Premier Plus ground and the staff service was excellent. The scores were computed and maintained in a timely manner by Anthea there was little or no delay in displaying the results, at the end of the event the presentation and team selection was completed within 45 minutes of the last shot. The first days results indicated that the competitors skills were under test with Mark Marshall posting 67 as the highest score closely followed by K Jobling 66, J. Bidwell, B Dunbavin, M Hance and S Stacey on 65. Mark Winser posting 64 was the lead Junior with S Green 63 and T Allen 60. In the Ladies Cheryl Hall once again out in front on 58 with D Ward having a good event on 57 and S Hamburger just a little off the pace but still in touch with 50 fighting hard for a possible Worlds team place. Veterans saw John Bidwell showing he had a lot to offer on 65 with B Dunbavin mirroring Johns score and AJ Smith 62. Super Vets had that well known ‘Game Shooter Tony Ball on 61 with David Payne and Paddy Howe 59. With the second day in progress young Mark Winser shot out of the blocks and quickly posted 48 ex 50 and that was with a malfunctioning gun. Mark Marshall kept to his task eventually posting 134 against Sean Stacey 133 and Steve Brightwell and Mat Hance on 129. Mark Winser ran away with the Juniors on 130 (3rd over all) withSam Green 124 and T Allen and M Simpson on 121. Cheryl Hall took the Ladies with a solid workman like performance on 116 with D Ward 111 (not keen on heights) and S Hamburger claiming her Worlds team place on 101. AJ Smith 127 won vets with John Bidwell 126 and Brian Dunbavin 125 a very close competition. Super Vets saw Paddy Howe take the event on 119 with David Payne and his trusty Auto on 118 with Tony Ball 117 yet again a close competition between these three. The 134 score of the event winner was exactly as predicted, the competition ran with only a minor delay over both days finishing 15 minutes late on the Saturday and 20 on the Sunday. There was a fantastic atmosphere throughout the event assisted by the incredible weather. Many of the competitors commented on how good the event was and I have to agree it was very good value for money. Nick Woodward ran another successful fund raising raffle netting £340 Seniors: Ladies: C Hall, D Ward, S Hamburger and R Naunton Reserve. Juniors: M Winser, M Simpson, S Green and K Storey Reserve. Vets: J Bidwell, P Morgan, J Dyson, and D Asher Reserve. S Vets: D Payne, P Howe, R Ward and M Gammon Reserve. Hugh Smith.Technical
Southern Counties Shooting School was the venue for the second GB Team FITASC Sporting selection 2007/2008, it was also the ‘cut off’ for selection for the team to represent GB at the FITASC World Sporting Championships 2007; 140 competitors took part.
Competition
Worlds Team Selection