Today was host to the final of the State Presidents and of the State Championship. Our whole team qualified (bar one owing to injury) for the morning shoots (State Presidents), although a few decided to forgo them for some R&R before the world championships team match tomorrow. Those of us who chose to compete had another early start, as despite the shoots starting at 9am, the blow off range closed considerably earlier. Individuals had high hopes for the wind conditions while blowing off due to the timings of the match, but little did they know that the wind at long range is difficult regardless of the time of day. Both shoots were a test of endurance: 2 and 15s at 800 and 900 metres. Despite this, a number of our team were able to keep up with the changing conditions and put in respectable scores. Having fallen back to 900 metres but remaining on the same target, many of us felt a sense of deja vu as we got down to equally difficult winds.

Congratulations to Parag Patel of the Great Britain Palma Team who triumphed at both ranges to win overall and was chaired off by his fellow team members in the scorching midday heat.

None of the U25s were to shoot in the afternoon so we all headed back for an early pizza dinner (more Deja vu) before making our way to prize giving.

The team were called up regularly to claim their medals: 3rd place in the U25 Protea Match for the GBU25s, 3rd and 2nd place in the U25 Grand Aggregate for Jemima and Tom respectively, and 3rd and 1st in the Norma Seyfferot Aggregate (Ladies’) for Alice and Jemima. After prize giving the team delved into the delicious finger foods put on display by our hosts before travelling back to the hotel to complete our plot cards for tomorrow and turn in for an early night.