GP1 Harriers 19th April 2009

The GP season commenced on the farmland of Harriers FTC near Kidderminster. This is a regular venue of MFTA shoots and well known to many therefore it was a surprise to find a new course layout for today's competition. The first six lanes were set in previously unused young woodland and would provide a fresh challenge.

The weatherman had promised a fine day and after a chilly start that's what we got. Harriers ground is exposed to fields all around and even a breath of wind can cause problems. A walk of the course during the AM round confirmed this as tuts and gasps accompanied the dinks of targets still standing. The light but variable wind was testing and it had to be learned for each part of the course.
Here Steve Mason is after the standers on lane 6; behind him is the field from which the wind does blow.
And Keith Worboyes seeks out the long target on lane 25.

Despite the tricky wind some shooters were compiling high scores. Top guns from the morning session were Andrew Gillott with an incredible 47 and Dave Schofield close behind with 45. In fact scores were too high and it made me nervous!
The signing in desk was manned by Tony and Cedric and Sam could be found slaving over hot stoves.
Another helper we can't do without is our marshals. Today Phil Riches was one of many who donned the fluorescent jacket.
So signed in and practise done I was ready to embark on my quest for 50. The pre-shoot briefing was given by Roger Moy and we learned that the feared black box would be marshal free and under shooter control; good luck!The first 6 lanes were in the aforementioned young plantation. Here was offered targets at varying range and included a pair of reducers and a kneeling and standing lane. Range finding was made harder by heat haze and the profusion of yellow dandelions; some shooter were initially ranging the long target on lane 4 at beyond 60 yards! Thankfully it wasn't but it all cuts into your two minutes.
The course then moved to shoot across a pool and meandered down to a small copse where once again a change of direction introduced new wind conditions. After a few misses the targets usually give a clue but today the dinks were all around the killzone so each lane needed careful thought. An excellent course and a worthy opener to the GP season. Well done Harriers!

As the afternoon drew to an end it seemed the morning scores would stand but then news circulated that John Costello had dropped only 3 and a shoot-off was needed.
This is what they were after the Tim Williams Memorial Trophy. There was only one name on it, Andrew Gillott, and he was keen to keep it like that.

The shoot-off consisted of three targets at about 35, 45 and 55 yards and first they would be taken kneeling. With a background a mewing Buzzards Andrew went first and was very impressive in taking all 3. It was a tough act to follow and John missed the 55 yarder but I'm sure he'll be top of the rostrum soon.
Congratulations then to Andy and also to John and Dave Schofield who finished third.
Grade A was won by Mark Charlton with 43 and Darren Moore took B grade with 39. C grade winner was Dave Oakes scoring 35. Marc Fisher won the piston class with an outstanding 43; I don't recall a higher score with a springer, wow! The SFT class was won by Brian Samson and congratulations to Martha Jones who won the second place shoot-off.

After a great day a group of us found ourselves in a bar where we spent a couple of hours analysing the day's events and enjoying a few pints. It's NEFTA next, can't wait!