GBRT : West Indies 2013

Thursday started with torrential rain and amusement at the degree to which the hotel car park was flooded. The bus successfully navigated Lake Pegasus and braved the traffic jams that came with Georgetown's return to school and work.

There was only really one order of business today - Great Britain's first international target rifle match in South America for over a decade, against Guyana Gold and the Guyanese All Stars. We knew Guyana Gold, as a pre-eminent force in Caribbean shooting,  would be strong. Rather than shooting as customary teams of eight or the fours that Guyana had initially suggested, we were in teams of five to allow all our members to shoot or coach.

Rain caused a delayed start and threatened throughout the day. A tailwind dominated which, at each range, just about qualified as a fishtail but in reality came mostly from one direction at each range with only minor forays across zero. Nevertheless its strength was quite punchy and angle changes needed to be looked out for.

At 300 the GB El Dorado team came up with a strong shooting performance, only dropping one point out of 250 to lead by three from both GB Royal and Guyana Gold.

Late in the morning, 600 yards proved more challenging. GB Royal won the range by 5 V bulls from GB El Dorado, who still led by 3 overall. Only Tom Rylands and John Tapster remained clean for GB ED, while Ian Shaw was also clean for GB Royal in a quick-fire return to top form.

900 looked, after lunch, like it might be tricky as the tailwind had strengthened and mirage was not plentiful - indeed GB Royal stopped early on as the conditions were so hard to read, while GB El Dorado carried on plugging away, using the tiny hint of visible mirage in combination with the rain angle and (for a change on this tour) the flags to help steer the shooters. Their approach paid dividends as they somehow managed to drop only one point at that range, to win by 11 from GB Royal and 15 from Guyana.

Some very encouraging signs were visible in a number of performances on our two teams. Prize giving is tonight. Match scores are below:

Guyana Gold 727.57 (Goodluck 147.14)

Guyana All Stars 658.22 (Dean 146)

Today's Press

http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2013/05/02/guyana-vs-british-team-rifle-shooting-individual-cship-david-calvert-is-top-shoot-lennox-braithwaite-is-leading-local/

http://www.stabroeknews.com/2013/sports/05/02/calvert-is-overall-winner/