After two days of challenging winds, 1000yds rewarded shooters with calmer conditions. Some took full advantage of this, while others flatly refused to accept the fact and proceeded to make adjustments for wind that wasn’t there. Regardless, many returned their top score of the day, with 9 possibles recorded. Particular mention goes to overnight leader Jon Sweet on 75.12v (ex 75.15v), with Tim Brooking close behind on 75.11v. Special mention must go to Norman Clark, making no use of the ordinary bull with a 74.14v. Yes it was his last to count and yes, it went where he pointed it! He may be irked by Cory Flanagan, who managed a 75.10v despite the rifle probably not shooting where he pointed it, based on the fact that his scope fell off after his final shot…
By 1100yds normal wind service had resumed. The first detail saw marginally more bearable conditions but by detail 2, multiple zero-crossing wind changes were seen and as a result, hits and outers were possible if such a change was missed. As a result, no 75s (ex 75) were recorded, with only 17 shooters breaking the 70 mark. Top score went to Fergus Flanagan on a 74.5v (ex 75.15v), with John Lindsay a point behind but on strong Vs with 73.10v. Of the overnight top-three only Gary Alexander managed to be amongst the over 70 scores on 73.8v.
The Ashes Grand Final
An unusual event in unusual circumstances calls for an unusual finish, provided by a shoot-out final. The top 12 (going in order of Jon Sweet, Nick Tremlett, Gary Alexander, Charles Dickenson, Ashley Abrahams, Norman Clark, Russell Woodger, Fergus Flanagan, Simon Whitby, Ken Willingale, David Lindsay and Tim Kidner) commenced the process with no sighters at 1200yds, the very MR rationale being that after two and a half days, they should have worked out what’s going on anyway.
In most cases this proved to be true but in one case we will never know, with Jon Sweet’s sights probably being correct for wind but definitely not for elevation, his first shot sneaking just under the target by about 200yds… Unphased, Jon confidently adjusted and began routinely finding the centre, including two acts of generosity where he did so on opposition targets.
After 10 shots, the first cut was made with the top 6 remaining and the bottom 6 being first to the bar. Going forward were Gary, Nick, Charles, Norman, Ashley and, in testament to his performance over the last two days and despite disposing of 15 points in 3 misses, Jon. It now came down to an elimination of the lowest aggregate score after every shot. Sadly, there is only so far such luck or skill can be stretched and after shot 11 Jon was 6th of 6 having failed to score the required 8 (ex 5) to move into 5th.
From the final 5 Ashley Abrahams was next to go, albeit in style with a strong V-Bull his last of the competition. Holding Ashley at bay and taking 4th place, Norman went next, leaving the final three to fight it out for podium places. Third place went to Charles, leaving the fight for top place being the leader into the final (birthday boy Gary) and the early leader from the event’s first shoot, Nick. However, with 3 points to make up on a 5-point target, Nick’s work was somewhat cut out and when Gary finished with a bull, his lead turned to victory and Gary gifted himself a birthday present of first place.
The Teams Match
In the absence of the usual MR Meeting’s FW Jones teams match, a scratch teams competition was organised. Randomly selected teams were standardised via the proven Tremdicap System (patent pending). The tactic was indeed once again proven, with only 4 points separating the top 4 teams, despite wind conditions doing their best to separate scores as far as possible. In the end, the individual winner was clearly not content with simple victory; Gary Alexander (on top individual score of 97.9v (ex 100.20v)) lead his team of Hattie Mansell, David Dashwood and Ric Whitby to first place, with a handicap score of 379.28v (ex 400.80v).
Alongside, the universities of Cambridge and Oxford (and an Oxbridge amalgamation of the two) competed in a mini-varsity match. In diplomatic fashion before the Humphry match the following day, the match was won by the Oxbridge Frankenteam on an un-handicapped 351.17v (ex 400.80v).
The Ashes Prizegiving
As The Ashes (“Nopton”) drew to a close, final results and prizes were announced and awarded. In a change from the usual names, the day 3 aggregate was won by John Lindsay with 148.18v (ex 150.30v), taking 2nd place Fergus Flanagan 148.12v. Also in a change from the usual routine, the day’s top Under-25 was Weiwei Liu with 141.11v, Alex Clark took 2nd with 140.10v.
The distance aggregates however were picked up by familiar faces, 1000yds led and won by Nick Tremlett with the only clean sheet at the distance on 225.27v (ex 225.45v), 1100yds was won by former pack leader Jon Sweet on 192.15v (ex 200.40v) and 1200yds taken by the eventual victor, Gary Alexander on 171.21v (ex 175.35v). Fiona Day was top lady on 549.39v and Russ Woodger maintained top Under-25 overall on 566.43v.
With The Ashes complete, competitors now turn their hopes to the Hopton proper, rumoured to potentially now take place in late August. However before that, attention and thanks must first turn to Nick Tremlett an the GB Match Rifle team who, along with Si Whitby and Michael Hissey of the English VIII, have made the last three days possible. As well as the large team of volunteers and NRA staff who made the range safe to allow shooting to go ahead. Thank you all, it’s been a great three days; Message 10 and compliments to the organisers.