The England Rifle Team spent the autumn in sunnier climes, helping Guyana celebrate the 150th anniversary of their National Rifle Association, via a stop in Trinidad & Tobago. Adam Leech reports on a successful tour.
Wednesday 27th September 2017; a year’s training, planning and preparation came together as the 2017 England Rifle Team assembled at Bisley. With baggage mostly under 23kgs an overnight stop at Gatwick was made, ready for Thursday’s early start. The odd “Message 9” required at check-in, the plane was boarded and with wheels up it was official: we were on tour! Several hours later and with shooters and rifles through Trinidadian customs, attention turned to the hotel, dinner, an introduction to the custom of “sundowners” by the Captain, Dick Winney and, finally, bed.
Friday gave the chance to see the island, buy supplies and visit the Tucker Valley range, establishing two main facts. First, heat and humidity on the range were intense. Second, the lush, tropical environment with steep hills climbing into the background was more like Jurassic Park than a rifle range! (A scan with binoculars confirmed silhouettes overhead were actually birds, not high-flying pterodactyls…)
Despite Friday’s visit, nobody anticipated the effects of the heat when in full shooting kit and even early on Saturday, conditions were hot and tough. Nevertheless, Laura Kennedy top scored with a 50.4 at 300yds, before all fell back to 500 in the midday heat. The first detail finished, intense sunshine turned to intense tropical rain as detail 2 was underway. The locals, well used to this, called a halt in time to get kit and shooters under cover before the downpour. The detail finished off in the new Tucker Valley Swamp, Andy ‘Turbo’ Barnes on top with a 50.6. A cooler (though with fast-fading equatorial sunlight, darker) 600yds detail followed, Andy Daw maximising on more temperate conditions with a 75.9.
Results boded well for Sunday’s team match, though now with a fishtailing wind for the coaches to contend with. Nevertheless, Laura again led the way on a 50.2 at 300x, while Trevor Bryan put in a 50.6 during a challenging 500yds. Lunch soon called during which time, thanks to a bit of “inter-constabulary networking” between the team’s police officers and the local cops posted to the range, the team tried their hand at pistol shooting under the guidance of Trinidad Police’s senior instructor, before 600yds and the opportunity to finish business beckoned. Conditions were no easier; the heat continued and the wind worsened. However, coaches Bruce “Palma 2019” Winney and (veteran of England’s first ever tour) Chris Heales, though not keeping cool, kept their cool and, assisted by Nigel Stangroom’s 50.3, saw England through to their first team victory on 1143.82 to Trinidad & Tobago’s 1042.42. Prize-giving and dinner followed at the nearby clay shooters’ clubhouse to the backdrop of a field of fireflies, followed by an impromptu team party and eviction from the hotel pool (due to time of night rather than behaviour!).
The weekend having reinforced that acclimatisation was required, the team made a Monday trip into the rainforest, visiting the incredible surroundings of the Asa Wright Nature Sanctuary with its hummingbirds, manakins, toucans, agoutis, termites (which are surprisingly delicious) and its Bisley-clubhouse-esque building. Cultural familiarisation also being important, the team accepted a local shooter’s invitation to the Harvard Club and a performance from the Harvard Harps steel drum band. With a bit of instruction, most managed a competent attempt at scales, whilst a certain diarist’s fumbled “Merrily We Roll Along” displayed musical skills at least on a par with a primary school recorder recital… A few days R&R on Tobago followed, the team diligently subjecting themselves to hot conditions with a spot of exploring, beach visiting (obviously including “Englishman’s Bay”), paddle-boarding, scuba diving, sea fishing and waterfall climbing. The final was night seen off over a delicious and well-recommended goat curry, before an early start and getting back to business in Guyana.
With Saturday spent in transit, Sunday was spent sighting in on the newly refurbished range. For the 150th anniversary the GNRA and Guyana Defence Force had done an outstanding job of refurbishing the facility, the number of targets now almost doubled to 12 per each of two butts and billiard-table firing points that would put any at Bisley to shame. Monday started with dedication of the range by a local preacher, with shooters pleased to hear his request that they be protected from adverse incidents whilst hoping that Range Standing Orders might achieve this without needing divine intervention… The opening shot fired by GNRA President, Brigadier Patrick West (a central V-bull, naturally), competition commenced. Nigel Stangroom led England’s way at 300yds with 35.2, Charlie Staples and Henry Day making their mark at 500yds with 50.6 and 50.3. Nigel came back in the afternoon, a 50.4 placing him 3rd at 900x and 2nd overall for the day. Tuesday saw more strong England performances; Andy Daw’s 35.5 brought victory at 500yds and Charlie recorded 48.5 at 600yds in particularly challenging winds. Hot, heavy afternoon conditions made long range tough, England’s top score being Phil Chapman-Sheath’s 50.1. By close of play, the top English shot going into the last day of the Grand Aggregate was Nigel in 5th place (261.20), with Charlie close behind on 259.24 and steady shooting from Henry placing him 12th (255.14).
Wednesday 11th brought a challenging start, 300yds not yielding the sea of 50s seen at Bisley. Andy Daw led the English on a 49.2 with Dick Winney following on 48.4. 600yds was similar and with 7 shots, scores in the low 30s were common. That said Phil and Chris delivered a brace of 35.3s, finishing first and third on count-back. After lunch, The Grand closed with its only 1000yd shoot. Always a challenge, the first detail additionally endured intense heat with second detail confounded by rain. Scores suffered, with low 40s typical and many dipping well below this. Charlie led for England on a 46.1, Martin following with 45.3. Despite a difficult day, an excellent result for England; two in the top 10, (Charlie’s podium finish in 3rd and Martin 10th), seven more in the top 25 and all bar two in the top 40, making the second stage.
Even the locals considered Thursday to be “quite hot” and at 45 degrees, the reduced course of fire from 2+10 to 2+7’s was welcomed, especially the team’s medics who anticipated significant work from shooters expiring on the firing point! A total of 105.21 available, conditions ensured that none appeared. Andy Daw secured his place in the final by winning the second stage with 103.12, with Trevor Bryan (4th), Andrew Morley (9th), Turbo Barnes (10th), Nigel Stangroom (14th), Martin Liversage (15th) and Dick Winney (20th) joining him. Lunchtime rain delayed the final to mid, then late, afternoon when another downpour forced a rescheduling to Saturday. The up-side was more time to prepare for a tourists’ reception for the local teams at a venue in Georgetown. The evening proved a success, with new friends sharing stories of tricky wind calls & unlucky shots. As the evening went on, some visited the upstairs nightclub to throw some serious shapes (aka. dad-dancing & the Funky Chicken), while others enjoyed a nightcap back at the hotel.
A day off on Friday 13th and what better to do on such a date than fly into the jungle in a light aircraft and stand on the edge of a 226m (247yd) high waterfall! The Kaieteur Falls, the world’s largest single-drop waterfall by volume of water, are the centrepiece of the Kaieteur National Park and the most impressive geographical feature in a naturally beautiful country. As well as unwinding from the pressures of competition, the visit provided the opportunity for a number of new Facebook profile pictures, some more risky than others. A stop at the Ireng River on the Guyana-Brazil border then gave a chance to cool off in the water (definitely not involving swimming across the river and illegal, if brief, entry into Brazil).
Saturday 14th, England’s next opportunity to prove themselves as a team with 8 firers and two coaches, led by the Captain and herded by Match Adjutant Andy Daw. Hot conditions over the week potentially contributed to ammunition issues so a less ‘energetic’ batch was issued, unexpectedly creating problems of its own. 900yds went well, Nigel returning a 49.4 and Laura close behind on 48.2. With the coaches sweating away (not just due to the heat) unforgiving Long Range ICFRA targets nipped away at scores, but England returned mid-to-high 40s, finishing on 368.20; 2nd place falling back and 3 points behind Guyana. From the start of 1000yds, something was clearly up. Scores peaked at mid-40s, with low 40s and 30s across the range. Severity varied from shooter to shooter, with England hit particularly hard. Later examination showed the ammunition was likely to have contributed, but not before England recorded only 668.25, 4th behind Ireland (702.28), Barbados (712.27) and Guyana (712.36). The afternoon saw the final of the individual championships and Nigel again led for England on 47.5 at 900yds, Trevor Bryan only a V behind amongst mostly mid to low 40s. Most scores dropped at 1000yds, but Nigel maintained form with a 46.1, taking 4th place and the top English spot. Trevor, like many, dipped into the upper 30’s, finishing 9th whilst Andrew Morley, carrying 40.2, leapfrogged into 8th place with 47.2.
Sunday dawned and with it the International Short Range match, England’s last opportunity to make their mark. With a confident Captain’s briefing and an eloquent, motivational speech from the Vice-Captain, the team set about business. Ladies’ pair of Charlie & Laura led the way on 50.7 & 49.7 respectively, while Match Adjutant Adam Leech busied himself with covert(ish) observations on the opposition. Main rivals were identified as local experts Guyana (4 points behind at 300yds) and Ireland, playing cards close to their chest with no published scores. At 500yds, Charlie again led the way on 50.5, with three 50.4s from Trevor, Martin and Nigel keeping England ahead of Guyana by a further point. The main threat was still Ireland, rumoured to be 25-off to England’s 29. With one distance to go England needed a flawless 600yds performance and “flawless” was exactly what they didn’t deliver. Winds were trickier and though readable, wind holds and the midday heat meant shooters began to suffer. That said, Phil Chapman-Sheath recorded 49.7, followed by 48.4 from Charlie and 48.3 from Nigel. Though Guyana were safely held off victory looked unlikely, but the sun beats down and the winds blow for all. With the last shots fired England had held it together, taking the match by two points on 1148.85 to Ireland’s 1146.74. Guyana fished a close third on 1142.85, winning the concurrent match between the West Indies nations.
Evening dinner and prize-giving followed, the former ensuring shooters would fly home overweight and the latter that baggage would do likewise. England picked up a haul of medals, the International Short Range Trophy and several bottles of rum from the traditional exchange of local brews. Despite the impending 5am start, a few of the team accepted the post-dinner Irish offer to help them drink their spoils before finally calling it a day (or night, or morning).
Most are familiar with the Monday Blues, but these are only made worse when it marks the end of a fantastic tour and the return home to normality. By Tuesday morning the team were at Gatwick in temperatures closer to 45 degrees Fahrenheit than Celsius and not long after, back at Bisley for the final “Message 10”.
For more information about the England Team to Guyana 2017, please visit our dedicated touring team website here. The England Rifle Team’s next overseas adventure will be to Canada in 2019 ably led by Tom Rylands. For more information about how to apply for this tour see here.
Results
England v Trinidad & Tobago
| INTERNATIONAL LONG RANGE MATCH | 900 yds | 1000 yds | Grand Agg | ||||||
| Guyana | Competitor | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | ||
| Mahendra Persaud | 50 | 5 | 45 | 0 | 95 | 5 | |||
| Leo Romalho | 46 | 2 | 46 | 3 | 92 | 5 | |||
| Roberto Tiwari | 46 | 2 | 46 | 2 | 92 | 4 | |||
| Sherwin Filicien | 47 | 3 | 44 | 1 | 91 | 4 | |||
| Ransford Goodluck | 44 | 1 | 46 | 4 | 90 | 5 | |||
| Dylan Fields | 46 | 1 | 42 | 3 | 88 | 4 | 1st | ||
| Peter Persaud | 47 | 3 | 37 | 1 | 84 | 4 | Total | ||
| Lennox Braithwaite | 45 | 2 | 35 | 3 | 80 | 5 | 712 | 36 | |
| 371 | 19 | 341 | 17 | ||||||
| Barbados | Competitor | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | ||
| Marlon King | 47 | 3 | 46 | 2 | 93 | 5 | |||
| Jason Wood | 48 | 3 | 45 | 2 | 93 | 5 | |||
| Lancelot Trotman | 48 | 2 | 45 | 1 | 93 | 3 | |||
| Shelly Hinds | 46 | 1 | 45 | 2 | 91 | 3 | |||
| Wade McLean | 46 | 2 | 43 | 1 | 89 | 3 | |||
| Richad Arthur | 45 | 1 | 44 | 0 | 89 | 1 | 2nd | ||
| Jennifer Jordan | 43 | 3 | 41 | 0 | 84 | 3 | Total | ||
| Alfred Stuart | 37 | 2 | 43 | 2 | 80 | 4 | 712 | 27 | |
| 360 | 17 | 352 | 10 | ||||||
| Ireland | Competitor | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | ||
| Kimberley Pope | 49 | 1 | 44 | 2 | 93 | 3 | |||
| Gary Alexander | 47 | 1 | 44 | 1 | 91 | 2 | |||
| Jack Alexander | 45 | 2 | 45 | 3 | 90 | 5 | |||
| David Calvert | 48 | 5 | 41 | 1 | 89 | 6 | |||
| David Lindsay | 45 | 1 | 42 | 2 | 87 | 3 | |||
| Chris Fitzpatrick | 45 | 4 | 41 | 1 | 86 | 5 | 3rd | ||
| Lynn Johnson | 40 | 1 | 43 | 2 | 83 | 3 | Total | ||
| Guy Hart | 47 | 0 | 35 | 1 | 82 | 1 | 701 | 28 | |
| 366 | 15 | 335 | 13 | ||||||
| England | Competitor | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | ||
| Laura Kennedy | 48 | 2 | 44 | 1 | 92 | 3 | |||
| Trevor Bryan | 47 | 4 | 44 | 1 | 91 | 5 | |||
| Phil Chapman-Sheath | 46 | 2 | 45 | 0 | 91 | 2 | |||
| Henry Day | 45 | 3 | 40 | 2 | 85 | 5 | |||
| Martin Liversage | 46 | 2 | 36 | 1 | 82 | 3 | |||
| Nigel Stangroom | 49 | 4 | 31 | 0 | 80 | 4 | 4th | ||
| Andrew Morley | 45 | 2 | 31 | 0 | 76 | 2 | Total | ||
| Charlotte Staples | 42 | 1 | 29 | 0 | 71 | 1 | 668 | 25 | |
| 368 | 20 | 300 | 5 | ||||||
| 900 yds | 1000 yds | Grand Agg | |||||||
| Antigua & Barbuda | Competitor | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | ||
| Maj. Alexander Gill | 49 | 3 | 43 | 2 | 92 | 5 | |||
| Adam Leech | 47 | 1 | 41 | 1 | 88 | 2 | |||
| Christopher Joseph | 45 | 1 | 42 | 4 | 87 | 5 | |||
| Anderson Perry | 46 | 3 | 39 | 0 | 85 | 3 | |||
| Thomas Greenaway | 39 | 0 | 38 | 2 | 77 | 2 | |||
| Desroy Maile | 40 | 0 | 36 | 1 | 76 | 1 | 5th | ||
| Laurne Benjamin | 39 | 1 | 36 | 0 | 75 | 1 | Total | ||
| Rohin Dukhiram | 36 | 1 | 30 | 2 | 66 | 3 | 646 | 22 | |
| 341 | 10 | 305 | 12 | ||||||
| Canada | Competitor | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | ||
| Jason Troupe | 47 | 4 | 36 | 1 | 83 | 5 | |||
| Tom Maynard | 42 | 1 | 40 | 2 | 82 | 3 | |||
| Gary Cassidy | 47 | 4 | 33 | 1 | 80 | 5 | |||
| Gian Garro | 42 | 1 | 36 | 1 | 78 | 2 | |||
| Ken Aldridge | 45 | 3 | 32 | 1 | 77 | 4 | |||
| Gareth Goodwin | 41 | 2 | 33 | 1 | 74 | 3 | 6th | ||
| Paul Archer | 42 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 69 | 0 | Total | ||
| Mark Landreville | 34 | 2 | 32 | 0 | 66 | 2 | 609 | 24 | |
| 340 | 17 | 269 | 7 | ||||||
| Trinidad & Tobago | Competitor | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | ||
| Justin Lall | 47 | 2 | 40 | 1 | 87 | 3 | |||
| Varma Rambarran | 45 | 4 | 39 | 2 | 84 | 6 | |||
| Ezekiel Joseph | 42 | 3 | 40 | 1 | 82 | 4 | |||
| Ubal Awai | 42 | 3 | 38 | 4 | 80 | 7 | |||
| Oscar Waldron | 45 | 2 | 29 | 0 | 74 | 2 | |||
| Dexter McKay | 38 | 1 | 34 | 0 | 72 | 1 | 7th | ||
| Norris Gomez | 40 | 3 | 26 | 0 | 66 | 3 | Total | ||
| Mark Ackrill | 16 | 0 | 38 | 2 | 54 | 2 | 599 | 28 | |
| INTERNATIONAL SHORT RANGE MATCH | 300 yds | 500 yds | 600 yds | Grand Agg | |||||||
| England | Competitor | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | ||
| Charlie Staples | 50 | 7 | 50 | 5 | 48 | 4 | 148 | 16 | |||
| Nigel Stangroom | 49 | 3 | 50 | 4 | 48 | 3 | 147 | 10 | |||
| Laura Kennedy | 49 | 7 | 48 | 4 | 47 | 3 | 144 | 14 | |||
| Phil Chapman-Sheath | 48 | 2 | 46 | 3 | 49 | 7 | 143 | 12 | |||
| Henry Day | 48 | 3 | 47 | 1 | 47 | 4 | 142 | 8 | |||
| Martin Liversage | 46 | 3 | 50 | 4 | 46 | 0 | 142 | 7 | 1st | ||
| Trevor Bryan | 44 | 4 | 50 | 4 | 47 | 2 | 141 | 10 | Total | ||
| Andy Daw | 47 | 2 | 49 | 4 | 45 | 2 | 141 | 8 | 1148 | 85 | |
| 381 | 31 | 390 | 29 | 377 | 25 | ||||||
| Ireland | Competitor | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | ||
| David Calvert | 48 | 3 | 50 | 4 | 49 | 2 | 147 | 9 | |||
| Jack Alexander | 50 | 4 | 50 | 3 | 47 | 2 | 147 | 9 | |||
| David Lindsay | 49 | 4 | 49 | 6 | 48 | 5 | 146 | 15 | |||
| Guy Hart | 48 | 1 | 49 | 3 | 47 | 2 | 144 | 6 | |||
| Gary Alexander | 48 | 3 | 50 | 5 | 45 | 2 | 143 | 10 | |||
| Timberly Pope | 48 | 4 | 46 | 2 | 48 | 5 | 142 | 11 | 2nd | ||
| Chris Fitzpatrick | 49 | 5 | 48 | 4 | 45 | 2 | 142 | 11 | Total | ||
| Lynne Johnson | 47 | 0 | 46 | 1 | 42 | 2 | 135 | 3 | 1146 | 74 | |
| 387 | 24 | 388 | 28 | 371 | 22 | ||||||
| Guyana | Competitor | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | ||
| Lennox Braithwaite | 49 | 5 | 49 | 7 | 50 | 7 | 148 | 19 | |||
| Sherwin Filicien | 48 | 3 | 50 | 6 | 46 | 1 | 144 | 10 | |||
| Mahendra Persaud | 48 | 4 | 49 | 7 | 46 | 2 | 143 | 13 | |||
| Ransford Goodluck | 48 | 2 | 50 | 2 | 45 | 1 | 143 | 5 | |||
| Dylan Fields | 47 | 3 | 49 | 4 | 46 | 3 | 142 | 10 | |||
| Leo Romalho | 45 | 3 | 47 | 4 | 49 | 4 | 141 | 11 | 3rd | ||
| Peter Persaud | 48 | 2 | 47 | 4 | 46 | 5 | 141 | 11 | Total | ||
| Roberto Tewari | 44 | 2 | 48 | 2 | 48 | 2 | 140 | 6 | 1142 | 85 | |
| 377 | 24 | 389 | 36 | 376 | 25 | ||||||
| Canada | Competitor | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | ||
| Gary Cassidy | 50 | 6 | 50 | 4 | 47 | 3 | 147 | 13 | |||
| McDonald | 45 | 2 | 49 | 2 | 46 | 3 | 140 | 7 | |||
| Jason Troupe | 47 | 4 | 46 | 3 | 45 | 3 | 138 | 10 | |||
| Cian Garro | 46 | 1 | 44 | 4 | 47 | 4 | 137 | 9 | |||
| Goodwin | 46 | 1 | 46 | 2 | 45 | 2 | 137 | 5 | |||
| Audridge | 45 | 4 | 46 | 3 | 45 | 2 | 136 | 9 | 4th | ||
| Landerville | 44 | 0 | 46 | 2 | 44 | 0 | 134 | 2 | Total | ||
| Jason Higgins | 45 | 3 | 45 | 0 | 43 | 2 | 133 | 5 | 1102 | 60 | |
| 368 | 21 | 372 | 20 | 362 | 19 | ||||||
| 300 yds | 500 yds | 600 yds | Grand Agg | ||||||||
| Trinidad & Tobago | Competitor | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | ||
| Norris Gomez | 46 | 3 | 50 | 4 | 45 | 4 | 141 | 11 | |||
| Varma Rambarran | 45 | 2 | 46 | 3 | 46 | 4 | 137 | 9 | |||
| Mark Ackrill | 43 | 2 | 46 | 3 | 46 | 2 | 135 | 7 | |||
| Dexter McKay | 44 | 2 | 47 | 3 | 44 | 2 | 135 | 7 | |||
| Justin Lall | 41 | 0 | 49 | 2 | 45 | 1 | 135 | 3 | |||
| Oscar Waldron | 43 | 0 | 45 | 2 | 42 | 2 | 130 | 4 | 5th | ||
| Ubal Awai | 39 | 0 | 44 | 1 | 45 | 1 | 128 | 2 | Total | ||
| Ezeliel Joseph | 42 | 0 | 44 | 1 | 42 | 0 | 128 | 1 | 1069 | 44 | |
| 343 | 9 | 371 | 19 | 355 | 16 | ||||||
| Barbados | Competitor | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | ||
| Shelley Hinds | 48 | 4 | 48 | 3 | 47 | 3 | 143 | 10 | |||
| Marlon King | 45 | 0 | 48 | 2 | 45 | 2 | 138 | 4 | |||
| Jason Wood | 44 | 3 | 47 | 1 | 46 | 2 | 137 | 6 | |||
| Wade McLean | 46 | 2 | 44 | 1 | 46 | 2 | 136 | 5 | |||
| Jennier Jordan-Cousins | 47 | 1 | 42 | 2 | 45 | 2 | 134 | 5 | |||
| Alfred Stuart | 46 | 2 | 45 | 2 | 41 | 2 | 132 | 6 | 6th | ||
| Hazley Benjamin | 45 | 1 | 45 | 3 | 40 | 1 | 130 | 5 | Total | ||
| Lancelot Trotman | 38 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 40 | 1 | 116 | 1 | 1066 | 42 | |
| 359 | 13 | 357 | 14 | 350 | 15 | ||||||
| Antigua & Barbuda | Competitor | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | Pts | Vs | ||
| Andrew Morley | 48 | 3 | 49 | 3 | 48 | 1 | 145 | 7 | |||
| Sarah Curtis | 47 | 2 | 47 | 2 | 46 | 3 | 140 | 7 | |||
| Anderson Perry | 46 | 3 | 45 | 4 | 46 | 1 | 137 | 8 | |||
| Chrisotpher Joseph | 42 | 1 | 46 | 0 | 45 | 4 | 133 | 5 | |||
| Desroy Maile | 42 | 3 | 45 | 1 | 44 | 1 | 131 | 5 | |||
| Laurne Benjamin | 45 | 1 | 44 | 0 | 42 | 2 | 131 | 3 | 7th | ||
| Thomas Greenaway | 40 | 1 | 43 | 2 | 43 | 1 | 126 | 4 | Total | ||
| Rohit Dukhiram | 35 | 0 | 43 | 3 | 36 | 1 | 114 | 4 | 1057 | 43 | |
| 345 | 14 | 362 | 15 | 350 | 14 | ||||||