Day 6 was our first day of shooting, and today was our only day without scheduled shooting until Day 23 – so a very important day to rest and recover before the World Individuals. Having had a great team meal last night, with the promise of a lie in, plans were afoot for pool time, late breakfasts, even some gym time. So, obviously, both of your beloved diarists were out of the hotel pre 9am heading to the range.
Why would we choose to do such a thing? Today is the first major match day of the 32nd World Long Range Championships, with the Under 25 and Veterans team matches. Having some friendly faces and local support when competing around the world is something that can really help under tough match conditions.
As agreed, we arrived just as the Under 25s and Veterans had completed the first of four distances in their matches. Starting with the Under 25 match: Strong scores from the GB U25s at 300m meant only 2 points had been dropped across the five shooters, leaving them just one point behind Australia, and a few vee bulls behind South Africa. The USA and New Zealand were only a few points further behind. WIth only 6 points across all 5 teams, the scene was set for a close match!
At 600m, the heat started to pick up, and so did the tension as GB had an amazing range. They top scored with only 2 points dropped to take the overall lead. Australia were now 2 behind, and South Africa a further 2 behind Australia. With 800 and 900m to go, it was clear that a 2-point lead would not secure a match result.
After 3 of 4 ranges, Australia led with 13 off, GB were second with 16 off, South Africa 17 off with 74 vees, USA also on 17 off but with 69 vees and New Zealand 22 off. Only 9 points across all 5 teams, with the wind continuing to pick up as we fell back to 900m. At this point, we broke for lunch and the rest of the GB team arrived to support both the U25s and Veterans.
At 900m, the GB U25 coaching team excelled themselves, concentrating so hard that target coach Miles Horton-Baker didn’t even realise he had coached Christina Cuming to a full score of 50! A great example of focusing on the next shot and not dwelling on what’s already gone down the range. The team pulled together, taking stops and pauses at the right time through some of the strongest winds we have had all week, to finish the range only 16 points off (32 in total). The other teams dropped more points with the fast changing winds, leaving GB in pole position. As GB’s final shooter finished, it was clear that the Great Britain U25 team had won the range, and the match, convincingly.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house seeing Captain and Main Coach Hattie Bramwell and brother George embracing after coming off the firing point. It was sad to see a rifle issue hamper the Australian team’s excellent overall performance, and they still finished with the top vee bull count of 93 vees, but all the teams shot brilliantly.
The final results saw GB as World Champions, USA in 2nd, South Africa 3rd, Australia 4th and New Zealand 5th. Congratulations to all involved and thanks for making it such an enjoyable match to watch (if a little stressful at times!). Christina’s 50.4v (a full 2 points clear of the next best score on the range) left her with 196.16v to finish second individual after the USAs Zevin Linse with 196.21v.
Rewinding back to our arrival: At the first range in the Veterans match, GB’s 10 off across their 10 shooters left them in 2nd behind Australia on 4 off. John Bellringer and David Richards’ 50s topped the team scores. As they moved back to 600m, the Australian team continued their strong start, dropping 3 points across their team of 10, a new record in the Veterans match at this distance. Whilst GB also had a strong 600m, gaining three points on their 300m score, and placing second on the range, the Australian team’s vee bull count indicated this would be a hard match to pull back.
Before the start of 800m, Australia were in first place with 9 points dropped and 120vs, GB in second 17 points off with 82vs. At 800m, the South African team showed what local knowledge of the range can mean, top scoring with 19 off to Australia’s 22, GB’s 25 and the USA’s 34.
At 900m however, the Australian team continued their strong performance. Perhaps with Jim Bailey and Steve Negus as coaches we should not have been surprised, but they top scored at 900m with 43 off to GB’s 50, South Africa’s 69 and the USA’s 78. Australia were crowned World Long Range Veterans Team champions with 1926.189v. GB placed 2nd (1908.137v), South Africa were 3rd (1880.130v) and the USA were 4th (1858.138v).
After cheers and photo opportunities were completed on the range, we dashed back to the hotel for a GB team photograph with the Protea Trophy, borrowed from yesterday’s prize giving.
The support for other teams was clearly shown by U21’s Oscar Farrell as he kindly acted as a sun shade as team photographer Theo Dodds worked his magic. In a step of true organisation, we have an official photo schematic, meaning the task of corralling into height order was seamless and rapid, so pool and dinner time could begin! After all the excitement of today, tomorrow sees the start of the World Individual Championship. Will Matthew Ensor continue his Grand performance? Will Parag Patel make another chair worthy score? Will we have a GB World Champion from within our 26 hopefuls? We can only hope…watch this space.
