Team Diary Monday 30th March 2009
The team arose at stupid o’clock for a team meeting prior to setting off for the range and the ceremony of raising the flags. Once the SA flag had been raised to their national anthem, the other nations raised their flags. There was the customary race by the other nations to raise their flags to the top of the pole quickest. Like the Six nations, Wales got off to a great start but faltered much to the hilarity of other nations when the flag got twisted around the rope, resulting in yet another last place! After the ceremony, the General requested Wales “do something about their decapitated dragon before any more remarks from the home countries”. ‘Uncle’ Bill Bramley who in common with SABU celebrates his 80th birthday this year, officially opened the competitions and so on to the range…
This morning’s competition was the Orange Free State Cup, a Queens 1 course of fire. The day was overcast and very cool compared to previous days. Winds were light at 300m and as usual started from the right hand side, there were a large number of maximum possible scores as the approximate 400 competitors moved back to 500m. At 500m the winds became slightly more difficult however the large bull allowed many to continue their success from the first range. Tom Whittaker from the US national team had a perfect 70.14 with one range to go. 600 yards saw easier wind conditions and at the end of the competition Jon Underwood (England) and Tom Whittaker (USA) tied on 105.18.
After yet another team lunch of sandwiches prepared by Parag (Tiffin wallah) and Jane (mum) a brief team talk followed before the team headed out in the usual convoy accompanied by the various tastes of inspirational tunes by bus to the firing point. The forthcoming competition of the Hamilton cup saw the squad divided into target teams of club eligibility which included OCRA, Surrey RA, English XX and BCRC. Although shooting alongside other teams for honour only, the teams produced some formidable scores in the second Queens one style shoot to which a few “mug of the day” nominations appeared including Holly Foster setting her foresight ladder wrong for the first sighter at 600m resulting in a six o’clock outer 2 and Stuart Young spending 5 minutes searching for his moulded ear plugs to find they were already lodged in his ears.
After and long humid day on the range the team returned to Shawu Lodge to prepare for the Fund raising evening hosted by England and the rest of the Visiting Nations at Lettie Fouche school in Bloemfontein for mentally handicapped children from less privileged backgrounds. After a most enjoyable dinner the Chris Hockley led a very long presentation with the Captains from each team. They proceeded to give thanks to the South African shooters and Officials involved in SABU for their generous efforts in ensuring the meeting is run smoothly for everyone. Keith Pugh followed, acting as the auctioneer to sell off various items of team kit and other gifts donated by the visiting to squads in which a total of over 16,000 Rand was raised before individual donations to help fund a £100,000 therapy unit the school hopes to build in the future to ensure a better quality of education is provided for the children.
It had been a long day and the diarists managed to get into bed shortly after midnight ready for the 5.45am alarm call.
Results
Orange Free State Cup (2 & 7 @ 300, 500 & 600m) before tie shoot
1 = Jon Underwood (England) 105.18
1 = Tom Whittaker (USA) 105.18
3 GM Willemse (South Africa) 105.17