Good start to Sussex County Rifle Association's new season

SUSSEX County Rifle Association's season opened with a close fought set of individual and team matches at the weekend, in fine weather and deceptive winds on the Bisley ranges.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th Apr 2009, 13:55 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 04:44 BST

The new Sussex captain, Derek Hanson of the Chichester Rifle Club, passed his first test with flying colours on Saturday when his team of eight fought off a strong challenge in the four way match with Hertfordshire, Berkshire and the Civil Service. Shot over 300, 500 and 600 yards on Century range, the wind coaches had their work cut out as the strong breezes blew in from behind the firers, switching from left to right and back again in rapid changes.

Sussex emerged winners with just a three point advantage over Hertfordshire as Berkshire and the Civil Service fought their own battle for third and fourth places, Berkshire edging it by two points.

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Sunday was another beautiful sunny day but again the deceptive winds blew down the Stickledown range increasing in strength as the morning wore on. The Harvey Cup at 900 and 1000 yards meant 15 shots at each distance for the 24 competitors, shooting to hit a bullseye just 24 inches across with its tie-breaking inner ring of just over 14 inches.

Martin Parker of Hurstpierpoint stamped his authority on the field early on with a maximum 75 and ten centrals at 900 yards. This won him the Blackman Cup. The wind had picked up slightly as the 1000 yards shoot began changing suddenly as it had done the previous day. Shooters swiftly found themselves in the magpie ring for an unwelcome "three" or even in the outer (two) or with a "hit" scoring one.

Scores tumbled but Parker kept his cool to make 68 for a total of 143 to take the Cup. Hailsham's Les Wicker finished one point behind Parker with George Cotton (Horsham) counting out Tony de Launay - who produced the top score of 70 at 1000 yards - both making a total of 141.

The afternoon's team match for teams of three for the Hornblower Cup saw Hailsham gain a narrow victory over Horsham by a single point, with both teams having the same number of central bullseyes.

Results

Sussex County Rifle Association Matches

Harvey Cup (900 & 1000yds)

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1. M Parker (Hurstpierpoint) 143.15; 2. L Wicker (Hailsham) 142.13; 3. G Cotton Horsham) 141.10; 4. A de Launay 141.5; 5. M Good (Horsham) 140.9.

Blackman Cup (900yds): Parker 75.10.

Hornblower Cup (1000yds)

1. Hailsham 145.13; 2. Horsham 144.13; 3. Hurstpierpoint 140.13; 4. East Grinstead 136.8.

Sussex v Herts, Berks & Civil Service (300, 500 & 600yds)

1.. Sussex 1133.94 (G Cotton 147.17); 2. Hertfordshire 1130.92; 3. Berkshire 1117.87; 4. Civil Service 1115.89.

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Related topics:SussexCivil Service