GBRT : West Indies 2013

Team match today, and finally we had enough vehicles (albeit of different shapes than we'd ordered) so all team members left together for the range, where we went through the now familiar routine of drying out the condensation from the rifles.

Despite an 08:30 arrival, the match didn't start until shortly before 10, by which time conditions were warm and muggy despite the cloud cover. 300 yards was blessed with light winds, as evidenced by the mirage if not the flags, which were much higher than the sheltered (in the valley) bullet trajectories.

Scores at 300 were not high, with clamminess a problem as well as some wind zero issues (this being the first team match for some), one or two questions about ammo and, quite possibly, some nerves from some of those who knew they were being trialled as part of the Australia Match build-up. The range finished with GB Red (coached by Matt and Jane) 14 points off, 3 ahead of second placed GB Blue, with Trinidad & Tobago third, 28 points adrift.

500 was a little trickier from the perspective of wind, with quick changes putting at a premium the sort of shooting that was not just accurate but fast. Results were a bit more even, with GB Red scoring 389, GB Blue 388 and Trinidad 362.

At 600 yards, the wind looked stronger for the most part, with large apparent variations but a remarkably steady reality - between a half and two and a half right. After a bit of discomfort for one of the first firers, GB Red again prevailed, scoring 385 to GB Blue's 378 and Trinidad's 359.

Top scorers were: GB Red David Luckman 149.12 Chris Watson 147.12 and Jon Underwood 147.11, GB Blue Chris Weeden 147.19, Trinidad & Tobago Justin Lall 144.11.

The match was followed by a shower for some and then prize giving and a curry back at the range. Our hosts were, as ever, stars and the food and drink were great. A rare day off beckons tomorrow!

Full GB scores:

GB Red 1160.96

Jane Messer (coach)
Gaz Morris          48.5 49.5 49.4 146.14
David Crispin      46.3 47.3 45.2 138.8
Chloe Evans       47.3 49.7 46.3 142.13
Jon Underwood 49.5 50.2 48.4 147.11

Matt Charlton (coach)
David Luckman 50 3 49.5 50.4 149.12
Debs Fenn          49.6 47.1 50.6 146.13
David Rose         48.3 49.4 48.5 145.12
Chris Watson     49.5 49.1 49.6 147.12

GB Blue 1149.88

Charles Brooks (coach)
David Calvert     49.7 47.2 46.3 142.12
Ross McQuillan 45.1 48.3 48.4 141.8
Chris Weeden    49.2 49.8 49.9 147.19
Tom Rylands     47.4 49.3 48.3 144.10

Martin Townsend (coach)
Nigel Ball           49.2 49.5 47.4 145.11
Jonathan Hull   47.4 49.3 45.3 141.10
Jon Tapster      50.3 49.5 46.2 145.10
Ian Shaw           47.1 48.4 49.3 144.8

Trinidad & Tobago 1078.41