The sunday of the bank holiday weekend marked the first day of The Ashes 2.0. What is The Ashes 2.0 and how does it compare to The Ashes? Well, like The Ashes in July, this competition is a multi-day Match Rifle shoot held for those members who would like to shoot but haven’t been able to due to the lack of Hopton in 2022. The Ashes 2.0 is clearly a vastly improved version of The Ashes in lots of exciting and indescribable ways. Unfortunately it also contains less monitoring of heath fires and driving of water bowsers. It is probably more targeted to shooters than firefighters.
A Gentle Start
The organisers of The Ashes 2.0 very kindly gave everyone the chance to either have a practice during a dedicated 1 hour period at the beginning of the day or an extra hour in bed. The author has no knowledge of what happended during the practice period but assumes it went well for those that used it. After this kind gesture, the organisers reverted to form and started the day at 1200 yards.
Most shooters have not shot for the past month. Most remembered to set their sights correctly and almost all remember to load powder in each of their rounds. A fickle wind meant most competitors struggled. Adam Leech, Julian Peck and Zoe Woodroffe were all feeling quite smug after their shoots. Each scored 73 (out of 75.15v) to be leading the field. However, Mike Buchanan decided that the first shoot of the day should be easiest one. He duly put in a 75.7v to start the competition off with a two point lead. Before anyone claims that he had an easy deatil, a certain national team captain who has won a few things in his time only managed 71 on the same detail.
Shorter Ranges After Lunch
After lunch, the normal order of proceedings resumed with 1000 yards followed by 1100. As would be expect the scores improved 200 yards closer. Three competitors managed to score 75 ex 75. Charles Dickenson leading the way with 75.8v. Followed by Mike Judge (75.7v) and Tim Brooking (75.4v). There were a further 7 competitors just one point behind on 74.
The final range of the day at 1100 yards provided a additional challenge. A car was left parked on the range on target 2. A quick shift to the right by all competitors gave those on the low target numbers a chance to see and hit their target. Alex Cargill Thompson put in a great performance to take the only possible of the range, a very impressive 75.11v (ex 75.15v).
Day 1 Results
The final results of Day 1 of The Ashes 2.0 has Mike Buchanan holding onto his lead from 1200 yards with 222.20v (ex 225.45v). He is still two points ahead of his nearest rival. Julian Peck lies in second on 220.21v. Ashley Abrahams in third on 219.24v. He beats Alex Cargill Thompson who has the same score for the day but a lower 1200x score.
Tomorrow sees the Welsh Rifle Associations Open Meeting. There will be the usual trophies for the day. The scores will however also be added to the overall Ashes Aggregate.
As with The Ashes in July, the English Eight Club provided the logistical support and stats for the running of squadding and results. The full results (and live results of upcoming days) can be found on thier website. Our thanks goes to them for their support.