From Tony de Launay's NRA Diary this afternoon:
"30 year old Ed Compton of the Sussex Rifle Association has won the Queen's Prize on an afternoon of tempestuous head on winds that wrought havoc with the field on the Stickledown Hill. With the wind at the start of the shoot veering in from one and two oclock and then switching either side of the flags for most of the afternoon, many competitors were to visit far-flung parts of the target. David Luckman led after 900 yards with Compton and Rupert Riley sitting on his shoulder. Luckman and Riley had carried through 150s from Stage II and Compton 149. Compton was squadded 2 & 2 in the centre of the range, Luckman on range 1 moving up the hill to 3, and Riley on 4 moving all the way down to range 0 at 1000 yards.
Luckman fell away at 1000, but both Compton and Riley were level pegging at 3 off for most of the 1000 yard shoot. In the end they were level on 297 points but Compton had 35 centrals to Riley's 30. In third place was Parag Patel two point behind but with 41 centrals and in fourth Jim Corbett of Australia. Yesterday afternoon Compton had been finishing fitting a kitchen for a customer in Woking. Today the pipes were playing for him.
Compton had only shot in the St Georges and the Queen's Prize this meeting. Today he borrowed Glyn Barnett's shooting jacket in which Barnett had twice won the Prize. The jacket is now GM3.
HM The Queen's Prize (900 & 1000yds): 1. E Compton (Sussex) 297.35; 2. R Riley (ATSC) 297.30; 3. P Patel (Old Epsomians) 295.41; 4. J Corbett (AUS) 295.39. "
The two Canadians in the Final, Scott Murray and Jim Paton, scored 288.26 and 283.34, finishing 52nd and 80th respectively.
Earlier, the day started with the final of the St. George's. Serge Bissonnette scored 74 to finish 25th and win a St. George's cross. the winner was Parag Patel.
Then Jim Paton fired his tie shoot for the Conan Doyle, finishing 3rd to Tony Jones of Somerset CRA.
The morning finished with the Mackinnon long range team match. Tony's description above of the winds in the afternoon could equally well be applied to the morning. The spread was about 4 left to 5 right, with frequent changes of several minutes between shots. This coach's nerves were totally shattered by the end of it. With the kind permission of Major Jack Kelly, four members of the Canadian Cadet Team fired for Canada this morning. To their very great credit, and that of their coach, Peter Westlake, they were in the top five scorers on the Canadian Team.
1. England 1156.126
2. Ireland 1141.116
3. Jersey 1132.100
54. Scotland 1131.99
5. Guernsey 1117.80
6. Canada 1092.80
7. Kenya 1050.63
8. Wales 1015.90
Canadian Team scores:
B Huget 48.4v 47.5v 95.9v (C)
S Spinney 50.5v 45.2v 95.7v
A Voorthuyzen 49.4v 46.3v 95.7v (C)
SR Montreuil 48.5v 46.3v 94.8v (C)
A Hines 49.4v 45.1v 94.5v (C)
RA Mullin 47.4v 44.5v 91.9v
DS Murray 48.2v 43.2v 91.4v
M Landreville 45.4v 45.4v 90.8v
A Marion 46.3v 44.4v 90.7v
JAM Paton 45.3v 45.4v 90.7v
SJ Bissonnette 42.4v 42.2v 84.6v
D Stanoev 43.3v 40.0v 83.3v
The Prize Giving is about to start, to be followed by the rituals of "Chairing the Winner around Camp" and the "Firing of the Cannon".
Later - 11:15 pm. Peace is descending. The cannon has been duly and safely fired, in the presence of a large crowd, under the guidance of Fred James from the NRA. Queen's Prize winner, Ed Compton was hoisted in the chair up to the moosehead, paid his respects and took the traditional stetson and cigarette in fine style. Those honoured to fire the shots were: Ed Compton, Serge Bissonnette [winner of the Police Rifle], Breaden Huget [winner of the Young Rifleman's Aggregate] and Alix Voorthuyzen (winner of the special award in the Athelings Centenary Aggregate for the top overseas Cadet].
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Friday 22 July - revised
The second Stage of the St. George's was fired yesterday evening. Scoring was extremely high, with just one of the 149.17s qualifying for tomorrow's Stage III. James Corbett of Australia won the Stage with a perfect 150.30. Of the Canadians, Serge Bissonnette was the only one to advance, scoring 150.18.
This morning, the important international team matches were the Kolapore and the Under 25. The Kolapore is for teams of eight shooters is the most important team match of the meeting, not least because it is the only one that Great Britain competes as a team, rather than the four Home Countries.
After the 300 yard range, our hopes were bolstered by Canada being one point ahead of GB, one point behind Jersey. At 500 and 600 yards, the GB Team showed its skills, which we fell back a bit. In the end we finished in a creditable third place.
1. GB 1188.176
2. Jersey 1181. 146
3. Canada 1174.124
4. Kenya 1153.116
5. Guernsey 1152. 122
6. Germany 1137.96
Canadian scores: Bissonnette 148.13, Mullin 145.14, Stanoev 144.13, Paton 147.16, Murray 149.17, Landreville 145.17, Spinney 148.18, Marion 148.16.
In the Under 25 Match, Canada, represented by the Canadian Cadets finished second to Great Britain U25, 841.79 to 883.102.
This afternoon, the Queen's Second Stage is being fired. We have four in that: Marion, Mullin, Murray and Paton. Jim Paton is our only qualifier for the Donaldson Memorial Final to be fired this evening.
Innumerable aggregates have now been completed. Lists may be found on the NRA web site.
The Mackinnon Long Range Match is tomorrow morning. For once it's been sunny all day so far.
Friday evening. Back home after a very enjoyable evening at the Central Bankers BBQ.
Scott Murray, 149.17, and Jim Paton, 148.21, have qualified for the Queen's Final tomorrow afternoon. The cut-off was 147.20, with 100th place being taken after a tie-shoot by our old friend Steve Thomas.
So in the mornig, we have the St. George's Final (Serge), tie shoot for the Conan Doyle (Jim), the Mackinnon, and then the Queen's in the afternoon. It rained very heavily for a while this evening, but tomorrow is said "not to be too bad."
This morning, the important international team matches were the Kolapore and the Under 25. The Kolapore is for teams of eight shooters is the most important team match of the meeting, not least because it is the only one that Great Britain competes as a team, rather than the four Home Countries.
After the 300 yard range, our hopes were bolstered by Canada being one point ahead of GB, one point behind Jersey. At 500 and 600 yards, the GB Team showed its skills, which we fell back a bit. In the end we finished in a creditable third place.
1. GB 1188.176
2. Jersey 1181. 146
3. Canada 1174.124
4. Kenya 1153.116
5. Guernsey 1152. 122
6. Germany 1137.96
Canadian scores: Bissonnette 148.13, Mullin 145.14, Stanoev 144.13, Paton 147.16, Murray 149.17, Landreville 145.17, Spinney 148.18, Marion 148.16.
In the Under 25 Match, Canada, represented by the Canadian Cadets finished second to Great Britain U25, 841.79 to 883.102.
This afternoon, the Queen's Second Stage is being fired. We have four in that: Marion, Mullin, Murray and Paton. Jim Paton is our only qualifier for the Donaldson Memorial Final to be fired this evening.
Innumerable aggregates have now been completed. Lists may be found on the NRA web site.
The Mackinnon Long Range Match is tomorrow morning. For once it's been sunny all day so far.
Friday evening. Back home after a very enjoyable evening at the Central Bankers BBQ.
Scott Murray, 149.17, and Jim Paton, 148.21, have qualified for the Queen's Final tomorrow afternoon. The cut-off was 147.20, with 100th place being taken after a tie-shoot by our old friend Steve Thomas.
So in the mornig, we have the St. George's Final (Serge), tie shoot for the Conan Doyle (Jim), the Mackinnon, and then the Queen's in the afternoon. It rained very heavily for a while this evening, but tomorrow is said "not to be too bad."
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Thursday evening, 21 July
We are back from the Overseas Team Match, and the last few shots of the St. George's Second Stage are echoing down the range. I won't be able to tell you about the latter until tomorrow.
In the Overseas, we knew with our small team that we were pressed in a match that requires 12 shooters. However, we gave a good account of ourselves and there were no real disasters. But, we finished 4th of the four teams. Jersey and Guernsey put on a terrific display, with Jersey winning by two points 1248 to 1246, with equal v-bulls. That's an average of 104 per shooter over 12 shooters, a truly impressive performance. We and Kenya were in a different battle in the same match, with Kenya in the end pipping us by two points, 1218 to 1216. our scores were: Mullin 102.8, Murray 104.11, Kolenko 95.9, Landreville 103.10, Bissonnette 102.8, Frost 100.12, Stanoev 100.10, Paton 105.12, Westlake 100.8, Spinney 102.9, Marion 104.14, McKellar 99.10.
The Grand Aggregate finished this morning with Prince of Wales. As I mentioned previously, Glyn Barnett held his lead of two points, dropping only three all week. This is a new record also by two points. Top Canadian was Jim Paton in 4oth place. I'll list other scores and placings later.
Individual Grand Aggregate Scores (Canadians)
Paton 689.090 [-16]
Marion 686.071
Bissonnette 684.077
Mullin 679.073
Murray 679.070
Spinney 677.068
Landreville 675.062
Kolenko 670.060
Frost 667.047
Stanoev 666.060
McKellar 659.056
Redstone 652.051
Chapman 644.046
Poulin 623.033
In the Prince of Wales, there is a ten-way tie for 1st place with 75.14. None of our team members, but I have to note that my brother, Peter, an overseas member of DCRA, is in the tie shoot! Pete finished one place behind Jim Paton in the Grand.
In the Overseas, we knew with our small team that we were pressed in a match that requires 12 shooters. However, we gave a good account of ourselves and there were no real disasters. But, we finished 4th of the four teams. Jersey and Guernsey put on a terrific display, with Jersey winning by two points 1248 to 1246, with equal v-bulls. That's an average of 104 per shooter over 12 shooters, a truly impressive performance. We and Kenya were in a different battle in the same match, with Kenya in the end pipping us by two points, 1218 to 1216. our scores were: Mullin 102.8, Murray 104.11, Kolenko 95.9, Landreville 103.10, Bissonnette 102.8, Frost 100.12, Stanoev 100.10, Paton 105.12, Westlake 100.8, Spinney 102.9, Marion 104.14, McKellar 99.10.
The Grand Aggregate finished this morning with Prince of Wales. As I mentioned previously, Glyn Barnett held his lead of two points, dropping only three all week. This is a new record also by two points. Top Canadian was Jim Paton in 4oth place. I'll list other scores and placings later.
Individual Grand Aggregate Scores (Canadians)
Paton 689.090 [-16]
Marion 686.071
Bissonnette 684.077
Mullin 679.073
Murray 679.070
Spinney 677.068
Landreville 675.062
Kolenko 670.060
Frost 667.047
Stanoev 666.060
McKellar 659.056
Redstone 652.051
Chapman 644.046
Poulin 623.033
In the Prince of Wales, there is a ten-way tie for 1st place with 75.14. None of our team members, but I have to note that my brother, Peter, an overseas member of DCRA, is in the tie shoot! Pete finished one place behind Jim Paton in the Grand.
Thursday morning, 21 July - revised
The full lists from yesterday are still not on the NRA web site. However, I have gleaned a little bit more information.
The cut-off for the Queen's was 103.12. Hence, our four (Marion, Paton, Murray and Mullin) as mentioned yesterday are in the Second Stage.
Jim Paton is a four way tie for the Conan Doyle with 50.10. Tie shoot is to be arranged.
In the Grand Aggregate, Glyn Barnett still leads by 2 points, three points off. Jim Paton is 42nd at -15. Other Canadians are Alain Marion 96th, Serge Bissonnette 112th and Roger Mullin 196th. The last competition in the Grand, the Prince of Wales, is being fired this morning.
This afternoon, we fire the first of our International Matches, the Overseas.
Other details will be present as they become available.
Today is overcast, but perhaps a bit brighter than of late. Some showers are forecast, but the trend in the weather seems to be a little better.
News at 11:30 am, taken from Tony de Launay's Diary on the NRA web site: "First, Glyn Barnett of Old Greshams Rifle Establishment has just won the Grand Aggregate after scoring 75.10 in the Prince of Wales. No one can catch him. This is his second Gold Cross and his score of 702.92 is a new record for the eleven match course of fire beating Parag Patel's old record of 700. Second, it appears that a block of Queen's I cards failed to get computed yesterday and there may be changes to the 300 to shoot the second stage and the cut off score."
Dan Stanoev has been 'bounced' from St. George's II. Unfortunately, a protest from another shooter about an incorrect score was upheld, so Dan now stands in 301st place!
The missing Queen's I scores apparently include those of most of the left-handers. Nothing at all from yesterday has yet appeared on the NRA web site.
The cut-off for the Queen's was 103.12. Hence, our four (Marion, Paton, Murray and Mullin) as mentioned yesterday are in the Second Stage.
Jim Paton is a four way tie for the Conan Doyle with 50.10. Tie shoot is to be arranged.
In the Grand Aggregate, Glyn Barnett still leads by 2 points, three points off. Jim Paton is 42nd at -15. Other Canadians are Alain Marion 96th, Serge Bissonnette 112th and Roger Mullin 196th. The last competition in the Grand, the Prince of Wales, is being fired this morning.
This afternoon, we fire the first of our International Matches, the Overseas.
Other details will be present as they become available.
Today is overcast, but perhaps a bit brighter than of late. Some showers are forecast, but the trend in the weather seems to be a little better.
News at 11:30 am, taken from Tony de Launay's Diary on the NRA web site: "First, Glyn Barnett of Old Greshams Rifle Establishment has just won the Grand Aggregate after scoring 75.10 in the Prince of Wales. No one can catch him. This is his second Gold Cross and his score of 702.92 is a new record for the eleven match course of fire beating Parag Patel's old record of 700. Second, it appears that a block of Queen's I cards failed to get computed yesterday and there may be changes to the 300 to shoot the second stage and the cut off score."
Dan Stanoev has been 'bounced' from St. George's II. Unfortunately, a protest from another shooter about an incorrect score was upheld, so Dan now stands in 301st place!
The missing Queen's I scores apparently include those of most of the left-handers. Nothing at all from yesterday has yet appeared on the NRA web site.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Wednesday 20 July
Queen's I is over, but the cut-off score for the top 300 has not yet been made public. The pundits are forecasting something in the mid-103 range. From our board, it seems as if Scott Murray 105.17, Jim Paton 105.16, Alain Marion 105.13 and Roger Mullin 104.13 are safely in. Then our scores drop to 102s, which are much less likely.
In the Conan Doyle at 900 yards, Jim Paton with 50.10 has at least a share of first place. Alain Marion and Scott Murray each had 50.7. Other results are not yet posted.
If possible, I'll add to this later, or first thing in the morning. The weather was a little better today, fairly dry in the morning, light rain in the early afternoon and then much heavier rain in time for the last details of the Queen's and Conan Doyle.
In the Conan Doyle at 900 yards, Jim Paton with 50.10 has at least a share of first place. Alain Marion and Scott Murray each had 50.7. Other results are not yet posted.
If possible, I'll add to this later, or first thing in the morning. The weather was a little better today, fairly dry in the morning, light rain in the early afternoon and then much heavier rain in time for the last details of the Queen's and Conan Doyle.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Tuesday morning 19 July - revised in late afternoon
Although the NRA web site is now working again, the scores from Monday have not yet appeared, and I have not yet summoned up the energy to go to the scoreboards. . I will summarise the results in "the fullness of time". From Tony de Launay's comments on the NRA site yesterday night, there was a fairly considerable shake-up in the Grand Aggregate order, due mostly, in all probability, to the 1000 yard Corporation. Glyn Barnett now has a two point lead having dropped three points overall. From the Canadian scores posted in the Pavilion, Serge Bissonnette and Jim Paton lead our little pack with 14 off, next is Roger Mullin with 17 away. The NRA has not yet (12:15 pm) posted the list of the grand to date, so I cannot tell you the positions occupied by Canadians.
Our top scorers were: Times - Marc Landreville 50.6, Roger Mullin 50.8; Wimbledon - Scott Murray 50.2; Corporation - Jim Paton 48.4. But, where they placed on the NRA lists, if at all, I don't yet know. Later - Jim's 48 on the Corp did not make the list; Scott was the "last X in" in the Wimbledon; Marc and Roger are both listed. There were several aggregates finished on Monday, but no Canadians were listed.
There was light rain, on and off, for much of Monday, and a torrential downpour with lots of thunder in late afternoon. The last couple of details in the Corporation and Wimbledon got a good soaking.
Today has dawned cloudy, with less wind. Showers are forecast. The St. George's First Stage is being fired this morning, and then most of our people have a welcome free afternoon.
12:15 pm - sunny, but with very dark clouds to the west.
There were frequent heavy showers this afternoon, but thankfully none of our members were involved in shooting. Those in the Inter Services and Inter Counties Teams must have had a fairly miserable time.
The morning was not too bad and most got finished in the St. George's before the heavier rain. We have eight people through to Stage II, which will be fired on Thursday evening: Alain Marin, Serge Bissonnette, Jim Paton, Steven Spinney, Marc Landreville, Scott Murray, Roger Mullin and Dan Stanoev. Danny is in 300th place, with his 73.9!
Glyn Barnett continues to lead the Grand by 2 points, having dropped only three overall. Our top shooters are: Serge Bissonnette -14, Jim Paton -15, Alain Marion -18, Roger Mullin -19 and Steven Spinney -20.
Lists of scores including the George's and Grand are now on the NRA web site.
Our top scorers were: Times - Marc Landreville 50.6, Roger Mullin 50.8; Wimbledon - Scott Murray 50.2; Corporation - Jim Paton 48.4. But, where they placed on the NRA lists, if at all, I don't yet know. Later - Jim's 48 on the Corp did not make the list; Scott was the "last X in" in the Wimbledon; Marc and Roger are both listed. There were several aggregates finished on Monday, but no Canadians were listed.
There was light rain, on and off, for much of Monday, and a torrential downpour with lots of thunder in late afternoon. The last couple of details in the Corporation and Wimbledon got a good soaking.
Today has dawned cloudy, with less wind. Showers are forecast. The St. George's First Stage is being fired this morning, and then most of our people have a welcome free afternoon.
12:15 pm - sunny, but with very dark clouds to the west.
There were frequent heavy showers this afternoon, but thankfully none of our members were involved in shooting. Those in the Inter Services and Inter Counties Teams must have had a fairly miserable time.
The morning was not too bad and most got finished in the St. George's before the heavier rain. We have eight people through to Stage II, which will be fired on Thursday evening: Alain Marin, Serge Bissonnette, Jim Paton, Steven Spinney, Marc Landreville, Scott Murray, Roger Mullin and Dan Stanoev. Danny is in 300th place, with his 73.9!
Glyn Barnett continues to lead the Grand by 2 points, having dropped only three overall. Our top shooters are: Serge Bissonnette -14, Jim Paton -15, Alain Marion -18, Roger Mullin -19 and Steven Spinney -20.
Lists of scores including the George's and Grand are now on the NRA web site.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Monday morning, 18 July - revised again
I was too weary last night after the Canadian Reception even to look at the NRA web site and write my comments. Just as well, since yesterday's results do not yet show there (9:15 am)! Perhaps there's a computer glitch, or perhaps the NRA Stats Crew were at the party and are still recovering.
The Reception was a good success with a large crowd attending. The cool weather meant, perhaps, that attendance was a little lower than in some years, but this is a quieter year at Bisley anyway. With the beer bars on the veranda, the die-hards settled outside and braved the weather. The less Spartan stayed indoors, but the scrum never became unbearable. The noise level was impressive, even for deaf old me, since all shooters shout at each other knowing that at least 75% are hard of hearing. The Team Members looked after the bars. Julia Evans had made an excellent selection of nibbles which she arranged to be carried around by some young people. The very regrettable (officially mandated) absence of the Canadian Cadet Team prevented our young shooters from doing this, a fact that was observed and commented on by several of our guests. Apparently rumours were also circulating that the Reception itself had been cancelled because of the Cadets - N OT true!
Now to yesterday's results. The whole world must be waiting on the NRA for the details, since the web site is busy and one can't yet connect! The Weather Office had called for intermittent showers, but they underestimated both the frequency and strength of these. Nearly everyone got soaked at some part of the day, either while shooting or coming or going. There was also a blustery wind with quite large changes. But, in spite of all this, scoring was reported to be high. When/if the NRA comes back to life, I'll add some more.
Today's weather looks much the same. It's overcast and windy as I look out to the west, but there are also some patches of blue sky. Included in the day''s schedule is the 1000 yard Corporation, that maker or breaker of Grand Aggregate dreams/fantasies. The Times (300y) and Wimbledon (600y) complete the programme.
10:00 AM. the NRA web site is still not accessible, but I've just taken a look at the score boards. Fine drizzle falling.
In the Alexandra, 600 yards, Jim Paton was 7th with 50.7 and Steven Spinney 49th with 50.5. Scoring is high!
Daily Mail, 500 yards, 32 Jim Paton 74.11, the last 'X' in the list; Marc Landreville apparently shooting as Class 'O' 43rd with 74.9.
Sunday Aggregate, 27 Jim Paton 171.23.
No Canadian that I could see in the lists for the Duke of Cambridge, or the Weekend and Clementi Smith Aggregates. Nor is there a Team Member in the top 50 of the Grand.
6:45 pm The NRA web site has risen from the dead. There is little to add to the above, except some news on the Grand. With 250 points possible, UK shooters David Luckman and Peter Bromley are each one off. Top Canadians are Jim P:aton and Serge Bissonnette at -7, with Alain Marion one point further behind.
It will be interesting to see how today's shooting may have affected things, but I'll report on that later. Now I'm off out to dinner at the North London RC.
The Reception was a good success with a large crowd attending. The cool weather meant, perhaps, that attendance was a little lower than in some years, but this is a quieter year at Bisley anyway. With the beer bars on the veranda, the die-hards settled outside and braved the weather. The less Spartan stayed indoors, but the scrum never became unbearable. The noise level was impressive, even for deaf old me, since all shooters shout at each other knowing that at least 75% are hard of hearing. The Team Members looked after the bars. Julia Evans had made an excellent selection of nibbles which she arranged to be carried around by some young people. The very regrettable (officially mandated) absence of the Canadian Cadet Team prevented our young shooters from doing this, a fact that was observed and commented on by several of our guests. Apparently rumours were also circulating that the Reception itself had been cancelled because of the Cadets - N OT true!
Now to yesterday's results. The whole world must be waiting on the NRA for the details, since the web site is busy and one can't yet connect! The Weather Office had called for intermittent showers, but they underestimated both the frequency and strength of these. Nearly everyone got soaked at some part of the day, either while shooting or coming or going. There was also a blustery wind with quite large changes. But, in spite of all this, scoring was reported to be high. When/if the NRA comes back to life, I'll add some more.
Today's weather looks much the same. It's overcast and windy as I look out to the west, but there are also some patches of blue sky. Included in the day''s schedule is the 1000 yard Corporation, that maker or breaker of Grand Aggregate dreams/fantasies. The Times (300y) and Wimbledon (600y) complete the programme.
10:00 AM. the NRA web site is still not accessible, but I've just taken a look at the score boards. Fine drizzle falling.
In the Alexandra, 600 yards, Jim Paton was 7th with 50.7 and Steven Spinney 49th with 50.5. Scoring is high!
Daily Mail, 500 yards, 32 Jim Paton 74.11, the last 'X' in the list; Marc Landreville apparently shooting as Class 'O' 43rd with 74.9.
Sunday Aggregate, 27 Jim Paton 171.23.
No Canadian that I could see in the lists for the Duke of Cambridge, or the Weekend and Clementi Smith Aggregates. Nor is there a Team Member in the top 50 of the Grand.
6:45 pm The NRA web site has risen from the dead. There is little to add to the above, except some news on the Grand. With 250 points possible, UK shooters David Luckman and Peter Bromley are each one off. Top Canadians are Jim P:aton and Serge Bissonnette at -7, with Alain Marion one point further behind.
It will be interesting to see how today's shooting may have affected things, but I'll report on that later. Now I'm off out to dinner at the North London RC.
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