Day 15

This morning the team were a little less regimented when it came to getting to the range. While some buses had to leave earlier due to early details, others had the opportunity to leave for the range slightly later, as they were squadded on later details.

The course of fire for the day was two sighters and 10 to count over four shoots: 600 yards and 300m in the Tilton and 300m and 500 yards in the MacDougall. After a bit of breakfast, the proceedings started at 600 yards, where a slight wind and overcast weather made the possibility of losing points more of a reality, though many of the team finished with all points intact. The second half of the Tilton, at 300m, saw Paul Wheeler put in a perfect 50.10 to tie for first place at this distance though, unfortunately, there is no individual prize for the single range… he finished with a 50.3 for 100.13 overall. Overall in the Tilton, Angus McLeod (100.15, 5th), Jon Ford and Paul Wheeler all finished in the top 10, while David Armstrong also finished on 100/100, though with a slightly lower V count.

Lunch was taken in the range hut, as is customary for the team while at Connaught. Particular thanks should go to Jane Messer who has done a sterling job in organizing the lunchtime menu with help from the victualling team.

The Grand Aggregate kicked off this afternoon with the MacDougall, where a large number of the team performed strongly. Angus McLeod performed particularly well, tying for first place on a 100.16. Also putting in perfect scores were Jane Messer, Dominic de Vere, William Broad, Emma Nuttall, Phil Chapman-Sheath, Ian Shaw and John Halahan. As a result, Great Britain dominates the top of the Grand Aggregate leaderboard although, unfortunately, we are only one shoot (but two distances) through!

Today’s diary wouldn’t be complete, however, without a tale of woe and it falls on me to tell our readership that Nigel Ball has been suffering from a serious case of last-shot-itis, for which not even Phil Chapman-Sheath, the team doctor, has a cure. We are told that the only remedy for this condition is a bit of time and maybe a beer every now and again… fortunately, it appears that by the end of this afternoon an improvement has already been evident as Nigel, in a return to normal form, nailed a highest possible score, leaving only one team member without one (sorry Martin).

This afternoon, the team greeted the ACF cadets at the hut, each of whom was invited to choose an uncle or aunt to help with their shooting. In the evening, the team hosted the Athelings for pizza and some swimming at the hotel. Though a little bit colder outside than we had anticipated, the evening went smoothly and was a good opportunity to get to know those who represent the future of British shooting, while entertaining them and giving their management team a rare evening off. The Athelings having left, everyone retired early as most are on the 08:30 or 08:40 details in the morning.