Quite simply it was spectacular! Situated in a valley the Nelson ground consisted of varied terrain of which its most impressive feature was the number of streams that meandered through. There was woodland but never dense, open field with well spaced tress, water courses and opportunity to shoot up hill and down into the valley. The area available to the club is vast and offers great potential. What a venue for the Worlds?
Below is one of the many bridges that spanned the streams and in the distance is an extensive area for the zero range.
On my walk I was attracted to lane 9. The shooting position was atop a natural bridge and from here there was a view down a culvert into the main stream where two targets could be found. For me this was the best lane of the GP season so far.
Turn through 180 degrees and meet lane 18. The targets here were elevated and slightly sheltered from the field to the left; inevitably reading any wind strength would be tricky.
Target 14 was also magic. It was placed in the middle of a small stream just above where the stream joined its larger cousin. When eyed through a scope the scene was stunning and could easily draw attention away from the matter at hand. My view again but the best target placement of 2009 albeit I missed. It's down there somewhere!!
Whilst walking around it seemed conditions were ideal but the regular dink of upright targets and the associated gasps told another story. There was wind and although never strong its direction was never constant. The far end of the course was exposed and cleverly turned through 180 degrees to continually test the competitors.
Is Dave Schofield trying a new standing technique or is throwing the rifle his best option?
After the morning round two shooters stood three clear of the field on 47, MFTA champion Neil Daniels and David Williams of Quarry.This well dressed man, Ian Harford, carded a strong 36 which would later win him C grade and place him in a good position to challenge for top honours come Sywell.
Only 4 behind the top guns was A grade leader Ian Stoddart who would have to suffer the afternoon round to see if he was to be denied his first trophy of the season.The afternoon session started with a briefing from Dorian Falconer who told us of how much rain they'd had recently; but not today. I had the pleasure of shooting with James Osborne and Mick Kelly and I enjoyed the company of Mick's very well behaved dog. The course was a pleasure to shoot and contained a plethora of different tests. The wind which had brought welcome relief when walking the course now became the enemy. The blue skies and hot sun belied the strength of the wind which might gust enough to lose a plate or subside and be followed by disbelief "it stayed straight on me but the grass was bent over ...".
None of the afternoon shooters could challenge the leaders of each grade from the morning except for Brian Samson who took SFT with 35 and Nick Murphy's 33 took the piston class.
So congratulations to Ian Harford, Peter Moore, Ian Stoddart and David Williams. David's success was the first for a Welsh shooter at their home GP since 1992 and was very well applauded by all.
Final congratulation to Ian Stoddart whose consistent performance this season has led him to the top of A grade but without a trophy. He now has that coveted piece of glassware and if he wins the A grade title at Sywell then he might smile!!
