Brook Bank Shooting Ground 17/9/22
I was in Somerset again today because Brook Bank was the only South West ground with a DTL competition, and I had a number of objectives.
The first, really take notice of, and dial in, how I shoot DTL targets. I’m starting to produce content for my “Shooting School” section of the site, and with a number of techniques in my arsenal, I needed to get clear on my way of doing things, especially after a season that has been a bit below par.
The second, try some of the new Fiocchi Super Blacks and see what they are like. Someone mentioned that they were superior to Fblacks, but that isn’t the same as going and seeing for yourself!
Could be a new favourite? Cheaper than Gamebore, very smooth, and hit harder!
The third, build on the pleasant surprise of last week’s Double Rise result, and hammer some DTL targets before the South West Inter-counties at North Cornwall next week.
I turned up in a really good frame of mind, eager to get started and make some smoke clouds. The way the first 25 disappeared, I knew it was going to be a good day. But that can also backfire on me. My mind can wander and start thinking about potential scores – such as “100/300 possible here!”, which really isn’t useful, and I had to put a stop to it very quickly. The result was a 25/75, the perfect start.
Then, in round 2, the gremlins surfaced. 2 second barrels and a miss, 24/70. Hmm, certainly not what I wanted! This time though, because I was there to get clear on my method, I discovered why. Lack of engagement in the task at hand! That explains why I’ve felt a little detached from my shooting this year, and it’s probably because of everything else I’ve been doing. When it’s like that, you think you’re “in the game”, but you aren’t. Missing that target today is perhaps the best thing that could have happened.
From then on it was real “cruelty to clays”. Apart from anopther second barrel where a little too much tension in the left arm pulled the gun off line, the rest were reduced to powder. The Super Blacks are an excellent cartridge, and for a good price compared to what everyone is using on DTL currently. My Caesar Guerini certainly likes them!
As a bonus, I had some good opposition to shoot against.
Tony Dore and Martin Taylor were really on it today, and after 3 rounds, both men were sharing the lead on 75/222. I refereed their last round where both of them missed a whole one, and Tony added a second barrel, so I knew that if I shot a 25/75, I could tie with Martin at the top of the scoreboard on 99/294.
An excellent opportunity for some pressure training!
My realisation in round 2 confirmed for me that my sub-par shooting earlier in the year was down to psychological factors rather than technique (which removed any concerns there immediately), so a small change to my pre-shot routine to help with engagement was really paying dividends. Out I went, and turned my last 25 to dust, 99/294 on the board. Mission accomplished!
Thanks for setting me a challenge Martin, and it’s so good to see you back shooting well. Congrats on the A Class win!
John Bradnam’s 97/287 earned him 2nd in A.
Lorrie Greening also shot well today, and ended up 1st in B Class with 98/289. A disappointing second round spoiled what was otherwise a very good performance. To recover from that and shoot the back 50 straight with three 2nd barrels shows that you’re doing a lot right Lorrie!
Rod Greening won C Class with 81/236.
Well shot everybody, and thanks to Wesley and Alison for putting on the shoot today.
Next week it’s the best of the South West vs each other at North Cornwall, and Devon has a shield to reclaim. Stay tuned to find out if we manage it!