Bywell 2022 – English Open DTL 12/6/22
Click here for the full results from the CPSA website.
So there we are. That’s Bywell weekend done and dusted for another year.
I haven’t been coming up here for that long, but even so, I don’t remember any time when it’s been as windy over the 3 days as it has this year.
There’s really no other way to say it – we’ve been treated to some godlike shooting performances this weekend.
Paul Chaplow’s 100/300 on Friday on Sponsors Day (the only one on the scoreboard for the entire weekend), and Ellis Jones’ 100/299 yesterday in horrendous wind to win the Dougall Memorial, were both astounding.
But the best was definitely saved until last.
In an almost last minute decision (and we’re talking Wednesday, 4 days before the shoot here folks), Rob and Lucy Hall decided to take advantage of some spots that opened up on a squad going out this afternoon at around 2:15pm.
They were starting just as I was finishing my last round for the day (we’ll get to my shooting in a bit), so I had the pleasure of watching Rob shoot some of his first round.
At this time, the wind was blowing at an estimated 50 – 60mph on the new layouts at the bottom end of the ground, so loud that it was setting off the microphones on certain layouts. To say the targets were varying is putting it mildly!
None of that was phasing Rob at all. Everything I watched was turned absolutely inside out. No messing about whatsoever.
He started as he meant to go on, shooting three perfect rounds and needing his second barrel for one target in his last, finishing up with a 100/299, and the English Open win. And the best part? His last DTL competition was 5 years ago!
Before Rob completed his masterclass, there was a two-way tie for the lead between Emma Holden and Richard Greenlaw on 297 each. They lined up for a shoot-off to decide overall 2nd and 3rd, and were joined by Paul Chaplow and Tony Common who were battling it out for 1st in AA class.
After an impressive display of marksmanship, Richard shot a 25/74 to finish ahead of Emma and claim overall 2nd place, and Tony also shot a 25/74 to finish ahead of Paul and claim 1st in AA.
Well shot to all of them, and to everyone who placed in their class and category, and took home silverware from today.
So now, let’s discuss my performance today. It could be summed up in the immortal words of the annual school report – “could do better”!
Actually, I didn’t deal with unforeseen events as well as I could have.
After 3 rounds, I was going really well on 75/220, and all set to finish strong with a possible 100/295 waiting for me at the end.
I mentioned above that the wind was setting off the microphones on certain layouts and releasing targets without anyone calling for them. The squad shooting before us had it really bad, and it cost some notable names some points and targets as they were nearing the finish line.
When we went on to shoot it was like standing in a wind tunnel, and no matter which way the microphones were turned, it was impossible to stop the trap firing off uncalled-for.
Very early in the round (just after my second target out got away scot-free and pleased me greatly – not!), the decision was made to stop the line and see if the issue could be fixed.
Ground staff on ATVs flocked to the layout like moths to a flame, changed a piece of equipment in the tank covering the trap, and declared it fixed – which it was.
The 5 of us in the squad took up our positions again to resume shooting, and to my astonishment, my focus and concentration had completely shifted, costing me at least another two complete misses before it returned to where it should have been.
The scorecard looks a little strange because there was a bit of confusion in the marking when we restarted. I might have missed more than three in total, but I honestly could not remember at the end of the round. That’s probably for the best!
If I haven’t hit it, I must not have the points, but I was so perplexed at why it happened that I was no help to the scorers at all. But anyway, what’s done is done, and I didn’t end up too far down the board on a 97/286.
But look out next shoot! What happened has fired me up to go out and prove beyond doubt that this is a red herring. The next 100 targets will pay dearly!
One final thing to say on today – congratulations to all shooters who qualified to shoot for England at this years Home International, British Open, and European Championships in Northern Ireland in July! In particular to those in the team earning their first international cap. Good luck, all the best, and shoot straight!