We have enjoyed another very active season here at the OC Rifle Club. I’ll preface this year’s report with our regular message that despite a high level of activity, our membership numbers remain alarmingly low and we would be delighted to welcome new members to the club. Prior experience of target shooting of any kind is helpful, but not a requirement for joining. We are keen to tutor beginners and intermediates up to a competitive standard in a safe and friendly environment, with access to guidance from county and international level competitors. If you would be interested in attending a guest day free of charge, please do not hesitate to contact our Hon Secretary, Simon Hayton (ocrc.hon.sec@outlook.com).
The season started in early April with the usual programme of practice fixtures and our three regular fixtures – the short range ‘Q’ Match, All Day Match, and Long Range Match. Turnout at the matches was improved compared to last year, and some respectable scores were obtained with good progress from our developing talent – particularly notable was Anthony Gammage’s perfect score of 35.5v at 300 yards in the All Day Match.
We are delighted to see further progress from the Cranleigh School team. As per last year, we held a joint training weekend in April featuring some classroom and electronic dry firing training at the School, followed by a day of live firing at Bisley, with a focus on the fundamental basics for the benefit of novice and intermediate shooters. Despite poor weather and a busy calendar, the weekend was very well attended. Our next fixture was the annual OCRC vs school match in June, which was won by OCRC and saw Ozzy L (now the 2024 shooting captain) win the Welford Trophy for top gun score in the school team.
The school went on to field a squad of eight for the NRA Schools Meeting, with a gender-balanced team of four boys and four girls. As this was one of the first experiences of competitive fullbore target rifle shooting for many of the team, it was a steep learning curve. Alex S put in an excellent performance in the Spencer-Mellish and along with Will G, as the senior members, provided some excellent guidance for the team. The level of camaraderie and enthusiasm was exceptional, and we hope there is a similar uptake next year.
Next, the NRA Imperial Meeting in July. OCRC put in a score of 233.17v to finish 34th in a crowded field among the ‘A’ teams. The club also had three individual entrants to the meeting – Rob Welford, Tim Bourne, and Simon Hayton. With extremely challenging wind conditions on some of the days this year, coupled with a barrel failure at a crucial time for Rob, there were real ups and downs across the week. Rob did qualify for the St. George’s second stage with a respectable 74.7v, but was a mere two points shy of qualifying for the final. Tim qualified for the King’s second stage, which is a fabulous achievement for his first Meeting, but was just three points short of qualifying for the final. Simon managed to qualify for both finals, starting in 25th place in the St. George’s and 11th place in the King’s. His score of 75.7v in the St. George’s final saw him climb to a respectable 8th place, but his less respectable score of 135.8v in the King’s final saw him drop to 88th place overall – better luck next year.
Simon also went on to travel to Canada with the Great Britain Rifle Team in August, shooting both individual and team competitions in the Quebec and Ontario regional championships and the DCRA National Championships. This is a fabulous achievement, and Simon is the first OC to win his senior Cap for Great Britain – something all of the OCRC members are proud of. Simon managed to finish 8th in both the DCRA Grand Aggregate and Governor General’s final, and narrowly lost out in the tie shoot to finish 2nd in the Gatineau. In the teams, Simon was part of the victorious GB team winning the Outlander Match, narrowly defeating USA by two points, and was also part of GB’s Commonwealth Match team.
Finally, the main event of the year – the OCRC Prize Meeting. Six members of OCRC turned out for the all-day competition, and the scores were blisteringly close at the top. Simon Hayton took home the Jackson and Long Range prizes, but the real hero of the day was Tim Bourne, who won the 600 yard Lovesy trophy, and also recorded the highest overall score of the day of 195.25v in the President’s (ex 200), beating Simon (195.18v) by seven V bulls and two points ahead of Rob Welford (193.12v). Tim’s feat was made all the more impressive by the fact that he was borrowing Simon’s rifle – so it’s good to know at least one of them can shoot straight with it!
Written by Richard Bourne
Tim Bourne winning the President’s Prize for highest overall score in the OCRC Prize Meeting
Simon Hayton shooting for Team GB in the Commonwealth Match at Mons Range in Borden, ON, Canada
Picture: Michael Cooper