Alarms needed to be set somewhat earlier on Saturday as the first \u2018squirter\u2019 as the South Africans call a shot was due down the range at 08:00 in the Scottish Sword competition and we needed to draw squadding cards from the SABU office which were not available the previous day when we ceased shooting and reached the domestic site. It was to be a long day as there were to be Team Matches at 2 distances in the afternoon for the Hamilton Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From the squadding cards we determined that each distance would have 2 details (or relays in SABU speak) with 3 shooters on each target. I was on detail 1 on Range P Target 2. My suspicions were aroused when I could see targets on all the other ranges, but none on Papa! Sure enough when the Scottish Sword had been paraded complete with bagpipes playing the Chief Range Officer General McGill Alexander suitably attired in a full kilt (Google him he is a real character!) then invited all those on Papa Range to move all the way down to\u00a0 Xray Range with full kit where there were empty firing points \u2013 not the best way to start a match!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The course of fire for the Scottish Sword was 2 and 7 at 300, 600 and 900m. The wind at 300 was slightly stronger that the previous day and fishtailing. Top scorers were Ed Compton and Rupert Riley with 35.4s. We then moved quickly back to 600m where the wind with the heating of the sun was now stronger. Nobody got a \u2018possible\u2019 and the top score was Ali Brown with a 34.3. Once again, we moved swiftly back to 900 ready for the final 2 details before lunch. The wind was doing its best to frustrate the shooters on both details with the bracket being between 2 and 6 Right with strength and direction changes. Top score was Tom Shaw with a 32.0. (Bottom score \u2013 no names! – was a 22.0 so it was a bit tricky!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The top Team score in the Scottish Sword was Marti Liversage with a 97.11.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After a rapid lunch we moved back to 300 with 3 Teams to shoot in the Hamilton Cup at 300 and 600m with a course of fire of 2 and 10 and 2 and 11. However, we could see storms brewing to the east and asked our South African Warrant Officer RCO if he thought it might come our way. \u201cNo\u201d he said \u2013 definitely not!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This proved not to be the case\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Suddenly in the middle of the detail General Mac gave the order to cease fire immediately and get rifles and scopes in the vans ASAP. A look through the photo gallery below will tell you why!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The heavens opened and the team were treated to a spectacular electrical storm, the kind of which many had never seen. We were, however, not treated to any more shooting; the match was formally aborted and we returned to the Hotel in horrendous conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Sunday is a day off a Team Dinner had been booked by Jumbo at the New York and a good evening was had by all \u2013 great food and great company!<\/p>\n\n\n