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FITASC Sporting Selection Shoot, October 11-12 2008 - West Midlands SG (Hodnet) Technical Report

Technical

West Midlands SG is a Premier Plus Shooting Ground and was the venue for the for the final 2008 FITASC Sporting GB Team selection.148 competitors took part.

The ground owner and course designer was Mr Tom Jones with administration provided by Grant Dorrall and his wife under Clayzrus.co.uk

The competition ran over 3 layouts new system, Hodnet, Hawkstone and Kenstone; with new shooting positions provided for the second day's competition.

The ground and shooting areas were immaculately prepared for the event with the majority of traps concealed from the shooting positions.

Target presentation was good with no effect from sunlight on target visibility. There was light rain from 2 pm on day one.

There were no major failures of equipment, minor failings were promptly dealt with and as a result day one finished on time, day two completed only ten-min late.

Hugh Smith assessed the targets on Friday the 10 Oct, all targets where of a high standard, they were visible with varying speeds, distance, heights, colours and angles, it was not necessary to make any changes during the inspection. All layouts were a credit to the course designer Tom Jones.

The facilities at West Midlands easily meet the standard required of a Premier Plus ground.

The scores were computed and maintained in a timely manner by Grant Dorrall (Clayzrus).
The results were displayed on an electronic monitor out side the clubhouse. Score cards were not of the normal type expected for FITASC Sporting however, difficulties were overcome and valuable lessons were learnt by Clayzrus.

As this was a non titled event there was no requirement for any shoot offs and the presentations were completed by 18:00

Competition

The first day's results returned high scores, leading the field was Kevin Jobling 72 ex 75 with Martin Myers 70 and D Hughes 69.

Day two started with a little mist that quickly turned into ideal warm and dry good weather conditions.

The change of targets and positions now reflected a step change in difficulty, targets were being lost a greater rate than day 1 however, straight scores and host of 24s, 23s and 22s were recorded on all layouts.

The 139 was the winning score posted by Martin Myers with Kevin Jobling one target behind 138, Tony Manvell and D Hughes JNR 135.

Rules and Regulations

Clarification, for the benefit of a competitor and referees (who shall remain anonymous) on day one:

If a competitor fails to fire at a target without any valid reason the target will be scored "Zero" Rule 6.4

The rule does not list all valid or not reasons however, failing to load a cartridge into one or both chambers is not a valid reason to claim a malfunction or repeat target regardless of the fact you have full use of gun on singles.

Attempting to influence a referee (when reported to the jury) rule 13.3 and 13.4 leads to penalties that include: loss of one or 25 targets or expulsion from the competition. Expulsion from an event is notified to the home countries governing body and lies on file for 5 years. A second expulsion within 3 years can lead to an indefinite ban to any event held under the FITASCs auspices.

Enough said.

Final placings were:

Seniors: M Myers 139 K Jobling 138. T Manvell and D Hughes JNR 134

Ladies: C Hall 127 JM Preece 123 P Easton and S Hamburger 121

Juniors: H Seal 129 P J Gray 127 C Papworth 126

Vets: S Brightwell and N Jay 132 J Pool 131 J Bidwell 130

S/Vets: JPC Bland 128. P Howe and D Payne 124 R Ward 121

Conclusion:

A good final event for the end of the GB FITASC Sporting season. Many of the competitors suggested and voiced that this was (in their opinion) the best FITASC Sporting event this year.

My opinion is that it was a most enjoyable event within a well manicured and efficiently run establishment comparing favourably with the BGP at Newnham Park.

I wish it to be known that the success of the 2008 season is mainly down to the sub-committees tireless efforts in promoting their discipline as widely as possible additionally, the support of the FITASC Sporting competitors at the 2008 events has been unrivalled.

Many thanks to you all.

Report by Hugh Smith.

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