Team Diary Thursday 26th March 2009

So the day started bright and early with breakfast at six am sharp followed by a morning brief. All the team had been reallocated to various buses based on an algorithm the Adjutant, Del, had devised the previous evening. The squadding details were handed out in envelopes for each individual along with a large medallion, various squadding stickers and squadding cards. We were duly instructed to put the 3 stickers onto a card and then hand the rest back into the adjutant who would create another algorithm to re-order and reallocate people to buses for the ensuing days based on squadding details.

Once we arrived on the range, there were of course the normal morning prayers from General Mac who then proceeded to request if anyone had found a pair of camouflage trousers with a knife attached in the Gent’s loos, please could they return them to the Chief Range Officer – although he only implied they belonged to him. Why his trousers had been left in the Gent’s was not an answer that was forthcoming however is did generate a certain amount of mirth on the range.

The first detail of the SABU 80th Anniversary shoot started in a considerably milder wind than previous days. Possibles came in thick and fast at both 300 and 500 but predictably the South African wind became more interesting at 600 to separate the scores. Here many people who were clean going back came to grief in the quick changing winds. Due to full results not yet being available, we can only report on hearsay but it appears that there may be a tie shoot for scores of 105.14.

The team met for much needed lunch of Patel and Messer specialty sandwiches under the concrete shelters followed by a team talk from the captain to inspire the team for the 80th Anniversary match (a Kolapore course of fire) to follow in the afternoon. The psyched England squads of 12 and 8 including guest appearances from Tim Webster and Tim Clarke arrived behind the 300 yard firing point. The addition of the central bankers to the team enabled Derek Lowe and Jon Underwood to participate in the match for the Old Guildfordians who are over here celebrating the 500th anniversary of the school; much amusement was had over lunch as their brochure included early photos of both “FCJ” with hair and “Jonny Keks” on a lighter moment during the England to America tour in 2008.All the visiting teams made a bit of a meal of 300 yards, only the Home Nation put up a respectable score dropping 6 points from 12 firers in the blustery conditions. When we fell back to 500 and 600 the wind calmed down and the increasingly overcast sky presented all the shooters with easier conditions. Again South Africa excelled by cleaning 500 and continued to extend their lead with another solid team performance at 600. At the end of the day which is the half way stage in the match South Africa have a good-but not insurmountable lead, from the USA in second place with England very close in 3rd. So there is much to play for in the 2 long ranges which are both 15 round shoots.

The team met back at Shawu Lodge for a de-brief and general rehydration. Dinner Orders were taken for eating in with the rest eating out while “dedicated individuals” pushed the ammo for the next day. In keeping with tour tradition the nominees for “mug of the day” were put forward to the right honorable judge Watson for his final decision on the Vice Captain Andrew Lothian who the previous evening managed to reverse over a substantial Plant pot in the hotel grounds whilst commenting “It’s a lot easier on an Instrument Panel”.

Results (provisional and unconfirmed)
South Africa 1787
USA 1771
England 1769
Scotland 1749
Ireland ??
Wales ??

Day 9 – SABU 80th anniversary day 1