NRA Journal - Summer 2003 - National Rifle Association

The Bridport Shooting Club Southern Championshipby Neil BeebyHosted by the Bridport Shooting Club, the SouthernChampionship (one of those that count for the PracticalRifle League) is actually shot at East Holme, nearLulworth Cove, nowhere near Bridport. It is well worthmaking a weekend of it because this is a lovely part ofthe country, even in early March. The range is a verywell kept 400 yards facility with a view of Poole Harbourand Brownsea Island (but don’t look that way when thered flag is down or your next view will be even moreheavenly!).The weather can be nasty in March, of course, but despitean intimidating forecast, the worst of the rain passed,with only a sprinkling for those who shot in theafternoon. Those of us who shot first had to do withoutthe cooling effect of rain, but we coped bravely. Thewind was fresh by East Holme standards and, whilstappearing to be blowing straight towards the firingpoints, did in fact have a slight bias.The consequences of the deceptive wind conditions weremisses to the left for some of those shooting Stage 1 whoopted for the smallest and highest scoring of the threetargets available. There were five 20 seconds exposuresof a fig 12, fig 14 and fig 12c on a backer, which meantthat no fall of shot was visible. This didn’t faze ChrisVale who won comfortably with 162.Stage 2 was a Short Regina - this is not a medicalcondition but could well lead to one. It involves a rundownfrom 400 to 100 yards with double taps fromprogressively less stable shooting positions. Itculminates with a further six exposures of the fig 12 and12c to be engaged, as before with one shot each, but froma standing position. The wind buffeted the shooter morethan his bullet, making this very tricky. Steve Sheldonwas up to the job however, scoring 148, four points aheadof Chris Vale.Stage 3 involved a complicated sequence of positions at300 yards, requiring different numbers of rounds for eachphase. Brain fade was much in evidence with a numberof penalties being imposed. J Morgan-Hosey kept aclear head to win with 158, twelve points clear of NeilBeeby.Stage 4 was a modified Rourke’s Ration at 200 yards,requiring seven rounds from each of the sitting, proneunsupported and prone supported positions.Ammunition was retrieved from the 300 yards pointbefore each phase, necessitating a total of 600 yards ofsprinting. The trip out was a breeze, but the trip back tothe firing point was like running through treacle in awind tunnel. However, a relatively generous fiveminutes were available, and some of us failed to takefull advantage of this, shooting too quickly. You can’tmiss fast enough to win, as someone once said! P Hunterjudged it very well indeed to win with 184 points, SteveOakland was in hot pursuit with 180.The final stage consisted of pairs of three secondexposures of a fig 14, the first shot of the pair to be takenstanding and the second shot kneeling. The wind wasstiff and the target small, but P Mansell, Bill Ellis andJohn Nightingale managed 120 points each to tie for firstplace.Overall winners were Chris Vale in pole position, SteveSheldon as runner up and, with only one point, barkingat his heels were Neil Beeby and John Morgan-Hosey.Top Veteran went to Fred Cooke, top Tyro was KevinKing and top Lady was Ann Nightingale with JennyHunter a mere 14 points behind. Top Iron Sights wentto Christina Brown with one of Armalon’s new .223”calibre L42 derivitives.Thanks of course go to the Bridport Shooting Club forhosting this event and to the organisers, in particularJohn and Ann Nightingale, Robin and Christina Brownfor running the butts, Steve Beard and Martin Mitchardfor running the firing point and Mark Bradley for thestats.Jenny Hunter in the kneeling position.(Photo: S Beard)Top Tyro Kevin King in the sitting position.(Photo: S Beard)17