The English XX vs. the RAFTRC is a series of two matches usually held around the middle of May each year at Bisley. The other home countries often take part and the matches are held over the National match course of fire at short range and the Mackinnon match course of fire at long range. Although this is a club match not an England match the teams are selected by that year’s National and Mackinnon captains with the help of their respective adjutants. Each captain is free to choose his or her team as they see fit but the majority of captains use this as an opportunity to try out un-capped or once capped shooters and coaches who may be potential candidates for their teams later in July. Captain’s will often directly invite individuals they are aware of or will contact county district superintendents and captains to try and discover potential new talent in each county.
Results from past years can be found in the relevant Yearbook, copies of which can be found under the Members menu item. The results of the matches held in 2023 over the weekend of 13th and 14th May are below, along with a report on the short range event:
A National Match course of fire was followed as normal but Ireland and Wales both only had teams of 15, so we pre-nominated a 15 for the match. The RAF and Scotland did the same. There were some tricky conditions and certainly some of the team members still seemed to be finding their form for the season, but we came out with a win by a pretty respectable margin. Top scorer for the English Twenty was Tom Rylands with a 104.14. Scores are shown in the file below: