Team Diary Sunday 22nd March 2009
The day started off rather more leisurely than yesterday since the Captain’s idea of loading the buses before 7 am breakfast had been vetoed and quite rightly so. We arrived at the range at 8:30 a mere forty-five minutes after having breakfast, for another 9 am start, this one started rather more promptly at 9:45 (African time), which we were assured was a real achievement. After morning prayers (which is part of the standard range briefing in Bloemfontein) we were divided into pairs for the shooting. Rosie, as christened by Tim Valentine, showed that yesterday’s practice cross shot was not wasted as he followed it up with a shot on the next door target to count at 300m. Commonwealth Games hopeful Jonathan Charles Underwood GM GC SM failed to connect with the target for his first sighter by missetting his foresight…the third sight related school-boy error in two days.
Conditions were challenging, they didn’t look it, but the fact that only two possibles and a smattering of 49’s were testament to how difficult it really was. After a short tea break, shooting commenced at 500 yards in very hot sunshine. After this shoot your diarist was chatting to his shooting partner, Alex Williams, who declared “I couldn’t understand it! I was 3 minutes higher today than yesterday!” Failing to realise he had used his 600 yard elevation rather than 500. This was particularly funny as we had not shot 500 yards the previous day. Scoring was not unexpectedly better given the generous target dimensions, with several scores of 50 with good V counts. Before 500 yards David Richards tried to get a jump on the opposition by assessing the wind with his fly rod on the lake. The team were extremely disappointed that trout was not going to be on the menu for lunch.
Lunch followed 500 yards which turned out to be fish after all, definitely not trout but hit the spot nonetheless. With a lack of Martin Townsend on the tour, Jon Underwood nobly stepped into his shoes and forced his way to the front of the lunch queue. The fact that the entire team arrived at lunch came as some surprise since Holly drove the truck back from the butts.
Over lunch empty cases from all previous shoots miraculously found their way into Holly’s bag, who then decided to extract her revenge by “Fosternating” James’ bag (see photo).
The 600 yard shoot commenced with a warning shot sent down the range to kick the markers into action since the communication system had been left in the truck behind the targets. Apparently this is standard procedure at Nottingham Road. Once the message had been received loud and clear the first sighters were sent down which included a further wake up call of debris from target 8 covering 6 markers over 3 targets. Yet another sight error from the England team! The antics continued with Stuart Young trying to outdo Rosie for the “cross-eyed bang stick” award, by putting a low bull on the next door target.
The team retired to the clubhouse after the days shoot for a few rehydrating beers. We were gathered for results in the pair’s aggregate of the day which consisted of mixing SA with England. There was an unexpected twist to the competition which prevailed as using a pre-agreed handicap per shooter set by certain officials within each team. There was a certain degree of consternation voiced when individuals handicaps were revealed, which included a certain coach being given a rather modest handicap of 140 ex 150. The winning pair was a combination of Mike English and Andrew Lothian with a final score of 307 closely followed by Brian Digby and Bill Richards on 306 and in 3rd place came the Captain paired with Jane Messer finishing exactly on their handicap with 300, thanks to Jane’s top score on the day of 149.16. Mr Tremlett had much explaining to do regarding declared handicaps! After the announcement of the pair competition, the ceremony of the cross-eyed bang stick took place. The participants joined by a local (Mike English) were duty bound to take part in a blind paraded around the club house – photographic evidence below.
After a brief drive home, a handful of the team decided it would be a great idea to enjoy the cool temperatures of the hotel swimming pool to sooth the burnt skin from the beautiful weather conditions they had experienced on the range. After a quick dip some engaged in doubles tennis on a grass court to further keep the competitive streak ongoing (as if had not had enough by now). Unfortunately this was short lived as Stuart Young was slightly racquet heavy loosing 2 out of 3 balls. He managed to loft a ball over the fence at speed hitting the adjutant in the backside and breaking the squash racquet we were given in substitute of a tennis racquet – but play continued.
After an hour or so of exertion the team made for the showers only to find that the efforts of the two local plumbers had been in vain as they could not manage to resolve the lack of hot water. This resulted in individuals dashing to the spa for a much needed shower. Once everybody was suitably groomed we met for pre-dinner drinks in the pub and a few local ales whilst the diarist made a start to the journal. Another fantastic meal ensued, with conversation reflecting on personal shooting experiences on the range (if you were sitting on the wrong table) – that shot which got away!
After the meal James Watson proceeded to bring attention to the team of contestants for “mug of the day hat” These included shooting mistakes such as cross-shots, sight settings and loss of vital shooting hardware to save weight whilst travelling through Heathrow. There was however a last ditch effort from today’s diarist (Stuart Young): The tennis exploits on top of his cross fire were enough to seal a second victory for the baby of the team from Rosie. How he will get over a second day of hat hair will soon be apparent!