VICTORY FOR PAT AT THE PHOENIX

He won X class in Phoenix A using his LBP with a NEW BRITISH RECORD of 179 ex 200

Firstly apologies for the delay in publishing this report – but as you will know, things have been hectic at the range, installing the new turners and refurbishing the firing point ceiling and most recently making preparations for The Derby Open competition

While everyone was at Bisley things seemed to be just ticking over nicely, a few good shoots, the odd hiccup, an occasional personal best and everybody was reasonably happy. It was not until the final results were published did we realise how well the Club had done!
Six first place Gold medals, Five second place Silver and a Bronze. A Team first place Gold and three Members had achieved Grand Master Medals.
But to Cap it all, Pat Pritchett had set a new British and Phoenix record while winning the Phoenix A event with his LBP.

It was hard to tell but over the weekend there must have been about 19 Club members on camp at some time or other. Desolation Row as Dave likes to call it was made up of five tents and three caravans, and the weather was perfect for it – glorious sunshine and not a drop of rain.

Marianne helps Simon pitch his tent in Desolation Row

Over the three days the number of events is massive and most can be done with more than one gun. For instance T&P1 can be shot with Small-bore, Under-leaver, LBP, LBR, Shotgun and Muzzle-loading revolver! So there is something for everyone. The full results can be seen on the National website and this report on where Club Members have done well will follow in the same order.

25m Precision
It was Ian’s first time out with his LBR and he was happy to come in 4th place.

America Match
In the LBP event Pat was just one point off the winner to get a Silver.

Timed &Precision 1 SB
There is always a massive entry in the and Keith M did well to come 7th in A class

Timed &Precision 1 CF
Jim did better than usual with 300/23x to come 4th in X class
Both Pat and Tim shot personal best scores, Pat getting his first 300

Timed &Precision 1 SG
Tim was hoping to do well but was thrown by the different distances used, and was half way down the results.

Timed &Precision 1 LBP
Pat was on form and won X class. It was so close at the top that just two points separated the top six shooters!

Timed &Precision 2 CF
Pat could only manage 6th in A class

Multi-Target
Everyone was rubbish!

Phoenix A
This event requires moving between distances and changing position, and there is some thinking involved. However in the LBP event Pat overcame all the demands and won X class and set a new British and Phoenix Record while doing it!

1500 SB
Jim and Dave both had poor shoots and Marianne was disappointed in here score too.

1500 CF
While Dave was having his best shoot for some time and winning A class, Jim was having his worst.
In C class Pat shot a 1463 – yet another PB
And in D class Tim was doing good and shot a PB of 1435.

Dave collecting his award from the NRA Chairman

1500 LBR
Jim was disappointed with his score but it was enough to come second in A class.

Advancing Target SB
Steve had an excellent shoot to win B class, his son Rob was shooting for the first time at Bisley and was a little apprehensive but came in the top half of the scores

Advancing Target CF
Dave had never shot this before and thought he would give it a try. After shooting a maximum score he stated, “ This is easy – what’s all the fuss about” He came joint first!
Tim was happy too after he shot a PB score.

Speed Steel Challenge SB
Dave is always near the top in this event and was 4th this time. Tim shot his fastest time but was way down the list. – A big entry and no classes.

Speed Steel Challenge CF
Jim only started entering this event earlier this year to use up some iffy ammo and enjoyed it so much he had another go, and came Third.

100/200/300 yard Gallery Rifle
This event was dominated by DRPC – Jim 1st, Dave 2nd, and Pete 4th. But it should be mentioned that this is the second year running that Jim has beaten Dave using Dave’s rifle. Dave realised after the first stage that he was handing Jim a sighted in rifle for him to use. So at the 200yd stage gave Jim the task of getting on target. First shot was a bull and Jim crushed him by 16 points!

100/200/300 yard Sporting Rifle
There are some fancy rifles used in this and competition is fierce. Dave was 6th beating Jim with the same score into 7th, on count back.
Pete had problems keeping elevation then realised his scope rail had come loose. After fixing it he did well at 300 but too late.

Rob did well at 100 but suffered at the longer distances, vowing to do better next time.

100/200/300 yard non-military rifle

Steve was full of hope until his Schmidt Rubin shook the scope apart.

F Class 400/500/600 yards
Mark was the highest placed British shooter, coming second with equal score and number of V bull bur losing 1st place on count back! Excellent shooting.
Jim was reasonably happy with 18th but Pete was disappointed with his 6mmBR performance.

F Class 800/900/1000 yards
Again Mark was the highest placed British shooter, coming second again, this time by one point.
Ian was pleased with his 16th place and Jim was 19th out of a large field and many of Europe’s best competing. Colin and Mark G were together at 36th and 37th place with their FTR calibres.

All smiles when it was over

McQueen
There was an entry of 116 in this event and with the option of a re-entry that counts competition was more than fierce.
Pete has won this in the past but could not perform to his standard and 54 gave him 4th place.
The big surprise was Marianne, who was shooting this for the first time; she scored 52, which placed her 16th beating the rest of the Club, all the other ladies and the 100 other competitors. Do you think she reminded us during g the weekend? Of course she did - many times a day!
The also-rans were; Jim, Colin and Mark G all on 50, Dave forever 49, Steve 40 luckily beating Rob who shot this for the first time.

Jim shooting in his sun hat ssssssssssssssssss Marianne was quick to enquire about his score!

Grand Master Awards

These are given to competitors who amass points by shooting certain standards in their events. This year three DRPC Members qualified Dave Pat and Jim

TEAM EVENTS

In T&P1 with both Pat and Tim shooting PB’s drpc C Team (we tried to fool the competition into thinking we had a A & B team too) were placed third just one point behind the winners – Very close.

Derby’s “Sway’n’pray” were nowhere in Multi-target, but with a bit of luck “Dads Army” could be in with a chance next year in the Advancing-target team event.

Derby Bambi Slayers alas Jim and Dave were victorious yet again in the Sporting Rifle pairs. But it was very close with the next team just two points behind.

In F class “Two Thin Men” were down the list due to Pete having unexplained problems.

PHOTOS
When Jim’s car broke on Friday morning he had to scrounge rides where he could and had to travel light. So no camera, and resulting shortage of photos. If anyone has some good snaps for the website please let Jim have them.

What were taken can be seen here

SUMMARY

It would be misleading to say this was our best ever Phoenix but it was very nearly – a tally of six Gold, five Silver and one Bronze medal, plus three Grand Masters and a pair of Team Golds must place this year as one of the most successful. Especially with Pat gaining the distinction of being a British Record holder.