The National Scout Air Rifle Championships – Bisley 2005

 

The National Scout Air Rifle Championships returned to Bisley for the weekend 14-16 October and this year’s event was the biggest-ever with 580 entrants. Is this also a new record for the Lord Roberts Centre?

 

Not only is this event achieving growth in numbers, the diversity of shooting activity is also expanding and this year saw the introduction of both small-bore and full bore shooting opportunities as the Scouts moved beyond the Lord Roberts Centre itself to both Cheylesmore and Century ranges. The increase in numbers this year required full use to be made of the Sit Pep Lawn for camping as well as Military Field and the Sergeant’s Mess Field.

 

As the title of the event implies, the main focus of the weekend remains on air rifle and air pistol shooting. There are three main elements: the “Main Event”, for which air rifles and pistols are supplied, “Own airgun” events and, now established after its trial run last year, a Summer Biathlon, mixing running and shooting.

 

The main part of the competition features four different types of airgun shooting: 6-yard air rifle, 6-yard air pistol, field target air rifle and a Knockout tournament. This keeps everyone involved over the whole weekend as most competitors fire one discipline during each of Saturday morning, afternoon and evening and Sunday morning.

 

The Malcolm Cooper Range now has an array of 17 lanes of air targets installed and in use for most of the year at a mix of 6-yards and 10 metres. For the Scout Championships all these lanes were set to 6 yards and the number of lanes increased to 19. These were used for both six-yard air rifle and pistol shooting and all lanes were kept in almost continuous use from 9 am to 10 pm on Saturday night and for an equally busy morning on Sunday.

 

The Scout competition is designed to appeal to the many youngsters that the Movement introduces to target shooting in its Scout HQs and on its campsites.  Equipment for the main (and longest established) part of the competition is kept close to the “entry level” of 6-yard air rifle shooting with spring guns. The youngest competitors (under 12) use Gamo Cadet Delta air rifles and the remainder use CF-16s. The competition is based on the best two of four Air 7 target cards and the third best card is used as a tie breaker if needed.

 

1st Shedfield Group, from the Meon Valley, Hampshire, won the Webley Scott Shield, the Scout Group team trophy for 6 yard Air Rifle. Thomas Barnes of 9th Bramshill (Yateley) won the Under 12 class and became the first winner of a new trophy incorporating Chris Lacey’s “Mastershot” badge, and Paul Gammon of 47th Swansea (Killay) won the Ken White Memorial Trophy for the best rifle performance by a Scout under 14.

 

Robert Barton of Killay Explorer Scout Unit, West Glamorgan, became the first person to retain the Bramshill Shield for the best rifle score by an Explorer Scout (under 18) with a score of 94 to equal the record set by Simon O’Rourke of the same Unit four years previously. Matt Lindsay of 9th Bramshill (Yateley), Hampshire, won the over-18 class with a score of 91.

 

For the air pistol competition this year we tried using the electronic scoring machines and so we changed from Air 6(YPS) targets to Air 4s. The scoring rings, of course, are essentially the same between the two targets but the machine needs the larger aiming mark of the metric target. We hoped that this would lighten the load on our heroic team of scorers but the results were not reliable and we had to revert to manual methods. Whether the problems were due to the quality of the target board, the pellets or to the pistols in use, we do not know but we plan some further trials before next year. Competitors fire just three cards and the score is based on the best two with the third best card again available as a tie-breaker. Juniors (in the Scout context “junior” generally  means under 14 rather than under 21) are permitted to fire using both hands.

 

Andrew Dalton of 10th South West Cheshire won the junior class with a score of 91 and David Gibson of 13th Twickenham  won the senior class with 96. The pistol team trophy for Scout Groups was won by 10th South West Cheshire (Haslington) with a team score of 343 ex 400.

 

Most of the Malcolm Cooper 50 yard range itself becomes an air rifle field target range for the weekend. Field Target Champions this year were (Junior) Sam Pidgley of 1st Shedfield and (Senior) Andrew Gorley of the 1st North Sutton.

 

The aggregate scores in the three disciplines of air rifle, air pistol and field target are the basis for awarding the venerable Connaught Shields, Senior and Junior.  Dating back to 1911, the Senior Connaught is Scouting’s second oldest major trophy and symbolises the long relationship between Scouting and target shooting.

 

The Junior Connaught went back to the Meon Valley District, just making the short journey from the Curdridge and Botley Group to Shedfield. Killay Explorers, who achieved the distinction of taking both first and third places, showed long-term consistency and real depth, retained the Senior Connaught Trophy.

 

Paul Gammon of 47th Swansea (Killay) won The Chief’s Prize, for the highest individual aggregate score in Air Rifle, Air Pistol and Field Target by a Scout and Robert Barton of Killay ESU kept the Senior individual aggregate trophy, the NSRA Cup, in Wales for a second year. Rebekah Pidgley of Meon Valley Explorers retained the Ladies plate.

 

The air rifle “rapid fire” Knockout competition is housed in Hall D. Ten sets of reactive target boxes allowed five ties to be competed in each detail. Like the “falling plate” competition on which it is based, this type of shooting is a spectator sport and excitement grew as the event reached the finals just before Sunday lunchtime.

 

Rebekah Pidgley took the senior gold medal, beating last year’s winner, Neil Dunn of Yateley, in an exciting final.  Her younger brother Sam, of 1st Shedfield, won the junior class.

 

The summer biathlon, introduced to the Scout Championships as a “demonstration event” last year, proved a great success and has earned its place as a regular feature. This “run and shoot” competition is one of the few shooting events to actively promote physical fitness amongst young people by incorporating aerobic exercise into the event itself. Robert Hyndman of Hampshire’s “Sharpshooters ESU” lived up to that Unit’s name by winning the Senior Biathlon. Martin Oakes of 10th South West Cheshire won the Junior Biathlon.

 

The “turn up and shoot” Archery competition was busy throughout the weekend and Oliver Pomeroy of 10th South West Cheshire and Lisa Munday of Endeavour ESU, Southampton were this year’s most successful archers in the junior and senior classes respectively.

 

The route from the entry level of the sport represented by the “main event” classes into more advanced competition is through the “own airgun” classes.  These were fired in Hall A. There are two rifle classes restricted to users of spring guns (fired on six yard paper targets) and a ten-metre class for which the electronic targets are used. It is only in this last class that specialised shooting clothing may be worn. Own Pistol is fired at Air 8 targets. Jonathan Gratrix of 47th Swansea (Killay) took the gold with 94, just one point ahead of “Sharpshooter” Explorer Scout Josh Peacock.

 

In the 6-yard Senior own rifle class, yet another of Hampshire’s “Sharpshooter” Explorer Scouts, Pierre Reader, improved on last year’s silver medal by taking the gold medal and the Jim Dunn Memorial Trophy. Martin Oakes of 10th South West Cheshire won the Junior class. Interestingly, the winning score in both senior and junior classes was 84.

 

The ten-metre class was more open this year as Chris Lacey, though still eligible for the Scout Championships, had higher things on his mind! We proudly wish him success in Melbourne next March. The first stage was of 20 shots, and the top eight, comprising six Explorer Scouts and two adult Instructors, all of whom scored 169 or better, entered the Final. Rebekah Pidgley led the way in with 190, followed very closely indeed by Nathan Sutherland (188), Melanie Flowers (187) and Mark Hobbs (183). The top four places did not change in the final; even Mark’s excellent final round score of 100.4 proved insufficient to close the gap between him and Melanie Flowers for the Bronze. This is shooting at a very high standard indeed.

 

Not that all of the “Own airgun” shooting is at this exalted level. There is a separate competition for Vintage Rifles, which means “spring guns” more than 50 years old and the Bill Cook Trophy for this class was yet another to make the return journey back down the M4 to Swansea, this time to get the name Chris Hiatt engraved on it. The popularity of the “own gun” classes has grown substantially in recent years, reflecting the improvement in Scout target shooting beyond the basic level. There were 321 entries in these categories this year. Competitors are, of course, not permitted to have custody of air rifles and pistols around the camp; they have all to be handed in to a temporary armoury and made available to the right person at the right time for their shoot. Janet Lacey serenely performed this remarkable piece of organisation in the very small space we were able to allocate for this purpose. In a nearby room, John Barnes was replacing springs and seals in the “supplied” rifles almost as rapidly as nearly 600 Scouts could destroy them! We are indebted to our Armourers, as we are to all the range staff, scorers and administrators who make the event possible.

 

Bringing the Scout Championships to Bisley has provided the opportunity, through two of Scouting’s Home Office Approved Rifle clubs, to allow many more Scouts to sample shooting beyond air rifle and air pistol. The Scout Rifle Clubs of both Hampshire and Surrey Scout Counties ran guest days, in small-bore and full bore rifle respectively. Minimum ages of 12 and 14 years were applied and around 160 Scouts took part in cartridge rifle shooting, most for the first time.  The small-bore introductory shoot was in the Cheylesmore range without slings and was judged by the best of four five-round groups at 25 yards. Frances Rathbone of 1st Sketchley in Leicestershire won the senior class and Sam Pidgley of 1st Shedfield won the junior class. In this discipline, too, the winning senior and junior scores were equal at 70 points, denoting a group size of 35mm.

 

The full bore shoot was at 300 yards on Century range. The weather was kind to the shooters, with light winds and no rain all weekend. The course was two sighters and five shots to count, giving a highest possible score of 25.5. Adrian Wilcox of 1st Chalgrove in Oxfordshire won the senior class (defined as over 18 for this discipline) with 19 points and Charlotte Bain of Phoenix ESU (Meon Valley) won the Junior class with the weekend’s highest full bore score of 21.1. In this class all three Junior medal winners beat the Senior gold medallist; this calls into question the need for age-related classes in these disciplines.

 

Peter Barnes, one of Scouting’s Chief Commissioners for England visited the Championships on Sunday morning and toured the ranges and the campsite, speaking with competitors and range staff. It was his first visit to Bisley and he was impressed by the enthusiasm, professionalism and commitment of all involved.

 

We were pleased to be able to repeat some other successes from last year too. The NRA kindly opened their collection of historic firearms to Scouts on the Saturday, and throughout the weekend Scouts could visit the pavilion of 71st (Yeomanry) Signal Regiment to communicate with Scouts all over the world via amateur radio and the Internet or to make electronic devices for themselves.

 

We were delighted that Di Coates, winner of 5 Paralympic Games shooting medals, including 3 Golds, honoured us this year by presenting the medals and trophies. With over 100 awards to make it must be admitted that our prize-giving is something of a marathon!

 

Having now completed the second Scout Championships at Bisley it is clear from the growing numbers of entrants and the very positive feedback we get from them that moving to Bisley has been a great success. Plans for the future include confirming the live ammunition events in the programme, both small-bore and full bore, and trialling three-position air rifle.

 

We owe a big “Thank you” to Hampshire Scout County for their confidence in the sport which enabled us to make the move to Bisley and to our hosts, the NSRA and the NRA for making this possible.

 

JED

 

 

List of Trophy and Medal Winners.

 

Aggregate Trophies:

HRH The Duke of Connaught Senior Trophy

1          Killay ESU ‘A’             629.5

            Robert Barton               220

            Andrew  Proudfoot             206.5

            Simon O’Rouke              203

2          Fiennes ESU                 581

            Simon Shenton                        210.5

            Andrew Brookes            189

            John Brookes                        181.5

3          Killay ESU ‘B’             576.5

            Scott            Riseborough     195.5

            Chris            Hiatt                 200.5

            Ashley            Fairweather       180.5

 

 

NSRA Cup: Robert Barton             Killay ESU    

 

 

HRH The Duke of Connaught Junior Trophy

1          1st Shedfield                                   541

            Shaun Broadbent                     175

            Chris Gamblin                                    171.5

            Sam  Pidgley                         194.5

2          10th South West Cheshire             537

            Andrew Dalton                           185.5

            Jonathan Oakes                        158.5

            Martin Oakes                           193

3          47th Swansea (Killay)              447.5

            Paul Gammon                                   195

            Luke Reimnitz                                   189

            Max Marchant                                   63.5

 

 

The Chief's Prize: Paul Gammon            47th Swansea (Killay)

 

Ladies Plate:  Rebekah Pidgley, Meon Valley ESU      

           

Six-yard Air Rifle

Webley Scott Trophy  

1          1st Shedfield                       261

Chris Gamblin                        79

Sam Pidgley             63

James Turner               62

Shaun Broadbent            57        

2          47th Swansea (Killay)  258

Paul Gammon                       84

Luke Reimnitz                       81

Jonathan Gratrix            78

Max Marchant                       15

3          3rd Hampton Hill            246

Paul Fitchett             75        

Sam Orkney              59        

Joe Carpenter                      57        

Joe Riddett              55

 

 

Over 18

1          Matt Lindsay             9th Bramshill (Yateley)            91

2          Neil Postlethwaite            1st Hartfield                        88 (+42)

3          Neil Dunn                 9th Bramshill (Yateley)            88 (+42)

 

 

Under 18 (and the Bramshill Trophy)

1          Robert Barton               Killay ESU                                         94

2          Sam King                  5th Mansfield (Sea)                          91

3            Charlotte Paul               Phoenix ESU (Petworth & Pulborough)            88

 

Under 14

1          Paul Gammon                       47th Swansea (Killay)  84

2          Luke Reimnitz                       47th Swansea (Killay)  81

3          Michael Bamsey            2nd Malden              79

 

Under 12

1          Thomas Barnes              9th Bramshill (Yateley)                                   64

2            Jonathan Oakes            10th South West Cheshire (Haslington)             57

3          Stefan Hales                17th Buxton                                      56        

 

 

Ken White Memorial Trophy: Paul Gammon             47th Swansea (Killay)

 

Fellowship Medal: Charlotte Paul Phoenix ESU (Petworth & Pulborough)

 

Walton Firs Trophy: Shaun Broadbent            1st Shedfield (+38)

 

Killay Trophy: Alex Cluett            North Dorset ESU (+42)

 

 

Six-Yard Air Pistol

Group Pistol Team Trophy

1          10th South West Cheshire (Haslington)            343

            Andrew Dalton                                       91        

            Martin Oakes                                       86

            Jonathan Oakes                                    84

            Billy Sheen                                       82

2          5th Mansfield Sea Scouts              323

            Matthew Fearn                                     88

            Ben Williamson                                            88

            Greg Chadburn                                              85

            Chris Kendall                                     62

3          1st Shedfield                                               322

            Sam Pidgley                                     89

            Chris Gamblin                                                80

            Shaun Broadbent                                 78

            James Turner                                       75

 

Senior Pistol

1          David Gibson  13th Twickenham (St. Marys)            96

2          Andrew Brookes            Fiennes ESU                 95

3          Stephen Waters            Bramshill ESU (Crusaders)            94

 

 

Junior Pistol

1          Andrew Dalton   10th South West Cheshire (Haslington)             91

2          Sam Pidgley 1st Shedfield                                               89

3          Ben Williamson            5th Mansfield Sea Scouts              88

 

 

Field Target

Senior (and the Killen Senior Field Target Trophy)

1          Andrew Gorley   1st North Sutton                  42.5 (+6)

2          John Barnes  9th Bramshill (Yateley)                       42.5 (+2)

3          Robert Barton   Killay ESU                             40

 

Junior (and the Junior Field Target Trophy)

1          Sam Pidgley             1st Shedfield                                   42.5

2          Shaun Broadbent            1st Shedfield                                   40

3          Martin Oakes               10th South West Cheshire             35 (+6)

 

 

Air Rifle Knockout Competition

Senior

Winner:             Rebekah  Pidgley            Phoenix Esu (Meon Valley)

Runner Up:             Neil Dunn                 9th Bramshill (Yateley)

Bronze Medal:            Philip Watson                         Phoenix Esu (Meon Valley)

Bronze Medal:            Andrew Proudfoot            Killay Esu

 

Junior

Winner:             Sam Pidgley             1st Shedfield

Runner Up:            Paul Gammon                       47th Swansea (Killay)

Bronze Medal:            Matthew Braham             29th Cardiff

Bronze Medal:            Mathew Roos                 17th Buxton

 

Summer Biathlon

Senior

1          Robert Hyndman            Sharpshooters ESU                   13 minutes 51 seconds

2          Andrew Brett                 1st Old Malden                          14 minutes 49 seconds

3          Marcus Winter               25th Purley (St. Marks)              14 minutes 50 seconds

Junior

1          Martin            Oakes               10th South West Cheshire             18 minutes 52 seconds

2          Tim            Bullen               1st Shaftesbury                               19 minutes 52 seconds

3          Ben            Williamson       5th Mansfield Sea Scouts  19 minutes 53 seconds

 

Own Airgun

10-metre Air Rifle (and the Beckett Trophy)

1            Rebekah Pidgley            Phoenix ESU (Meon Valley)  190 +  98.9

2          Nathan Sutherland            Harrow & Wealdstone ESU     189 +  98.1

3          Melanie Flowers            Hampton ESU                           187 +  98.6

4          Mark Hobbs               Bramshill ESU (Crusaders)            183 +  100.4

5          Simon Flowers             Hampton ESU                           172 +  95.6

6            Rebecca Saint              Phoenix ESU (Meon Valley)  169 +  98.1

7          Andrew Brookes            Fiennes ESU                             171 +  86.8

8          Stephen Waters              Bramshill ESU (Crusaders)            180 +  50.7

 

Six-Yard Own Rifle (Senior) and the Jim Dunn Memorial Trophy

1          Pierre Reader              Sharpshooters ESU            84 (+36)

2          Simon O’Rouke              Killay ESU                 84 (+35)

3          Ben Roberts             Fiennes ESU                 83

 

Six-Yard Own Rifle (Junior)

1          Martin Oakes   10th South West Cheshire             84

2          Paul Gammon            47th Swansea (Killay)              77

3          Andrew Dalton   10th South West Cheshire             75

 

Vintage Rifle (and the Bill Cook Trophy)

1          Chris Hiatt                 Killay ESU                             87

2          Andrew Proudfoot             Killay ESU                             85

3          David Gibson              13th Twickenham (St. Mary’s)            84

 

Own Pistol

1            Jonathan Gratrix            47th Swansea (Killay)  94

2          Joshua Peacock            Sharpshooters ESU            93

3          Simon Shenton                        Fiennes ESU                 89

 

 

Small-bore Rifle

Senior

1          Frances Rathbone            1st Sketchley (Leicestershire)            70        

2          Martyn Fletcher                        Phoenix ESU (Meon Valley)  65        

3          Matt Hoff                   Phoenix ESU (Meon Valley)  60            (Age tiebreak)

 

Junior

1          Sam            Pidgley             1st Shedfield (Meon Valley)  70        

2          Jack            Tipton               5th Pinner (G London Middx W)        60        

3          Daniel            Ryall                 Stalbridge (North Dorset)  55            (Age tiebreak)

 

 

 

Fullbore Rifle

Senior

1          Adrian Wilcox              1st Chalgrove (Oxfordshire)            19

2          Sim Pidgley             Phoenix ESU (Meon Valley)  18.1

3          Paul Fitchett             3rd Hampton Hill            (G London SW)            18

 

Junior

1            Charlotte Bain               Phoenix ESU (Meon Valley)  21.1

2            Matthew Wright                       Boyne Hill Altwood (Berkshire)            20

3          Marcus Winter               25th Purley (St. Mark's)              19.1

 

 

Note: Full results may be downloaded from:  http://www.dohoo.clara.net/nsarc2k5/