SSRA - News Archive Q1 2003

News Archive - January to March 2003

Air Rifle & Pistol Grand Prix Series Completed

24th March 2003

The 2002/3 Air Rifle & Pistol Grand Prix series came to a conclusion at Glenrothes on Sunday 23rd Match, with new and equal Scottish records once more for Emma Cole-Hamilton. Emma also placed second in the Grand Prix, overhauling Donald McIntosh in the final, while Robin Law's lead remained unassailable.

In the pistol event, a close final saw Don Robertson snatch the lead from Cyril De Jonckheere with the last shot.

North Island, New Zealand Match and Inter-Region Match completed in Perth

24th March 2003

The Scottish teams in the annual postal matches against North Island, New Zealand shot on Sunday 23rd March at Perth C&C. Top scorer in both teams was David Champion, with a superb 397 on his debut. The overall team scores will be published once the Kiwi's complete their shoot in September.

In the Inter-Region Match, held concurrently, Grampian were clear winners, with Lothian just edging ahead of Central.

British Championship for Martin Sinclair

24th March 2003

Martin Sinclair has won the British Short Range 3P Championship, his score of 580 winning by the narrowest of margins.

Teams for North Island, New Zealand Match

22nd March 2003

The following teams have been selected to shoot in the annual postal matches versus North Island, New Zealand:

Main Team:

Donald McIntosh

Gordon Motion

Sheena Sharp

Bill Copland

Barbara Mackay

Reserves:

Bill Vaughan

Jim Cole-Hamilton

Simon Clark

Tim Kidner

Bill Hamilton

Charles Allan

Mike Baillie-Hamilton

Ken Silver

Cyril De Jonckheere

Hugh Simpson

David Champion

Billy Crawford

Junior Team:

David Simpson

Keith Johnston

Reserve:

Heather Rudd

Chris Silver

Gordon Cox

David Champion

Bon Accord clean up at Scottish Short Range Championships

16th March 2003

Bon Accord came close to a clean sweep of the honours at the NSRA Scottish Short Range Championships - held at the Balerno & Currie in Edinburgh - winning the Scottish Cup and taking the top three places in the Individual Championship. Only Keith Johnston, winner of the junior event, broke the Aberdeen club's domination.

In the team event, Balerno & Currie pipped Wick Old Stagers by two points to secure a place in the final, having entered the event for the first time in many years. The other semi-final was a little more one-sided, with an under-strength Watsonian team going down heavily to Bon Accord. A steady shoot from Bon in the final secured the title for the seventh consecutive year, and the ninth in the last ten - only EU Alumni in 1996 having spoiled the record.

The individual title was a close run thing, with eight shooters on 395 or better. Ken Silver was the best with 398, one point in front of Tim Kidner, with defending champion Jim Cole-Hamilton a further point behind. Performances like these are encouraging, with the annual postal match against North Island, New Zealand due to be fired next week, and Scotland looking to put an end to New Zealand's run of five consecutive wins.

Recruitment Drive in Huntly

12th March 2003

The clock was certainly turned back for Sheena Sharp recently when she was invited to give a talk a morning assembly at The Gordon Schools in Huntly, where she was a pupil for most of her school days. Taking along targets for various distances, some photographs, and her Commonwealth Games Silver Medal she certainly roused the interest in shooting amongst the pupils. After the assembly there was a question and answer session with those interested in finding out more about target shooting.

Such was the interest from the pupils that two open sessions were arranged at Huntly Small Bore Rifle Club to cope with the numbers wishing to try the sport. As well as pupils (and teachers) the first session was also attended by Mike Seed, Administrator, from Aberdeenshire Sports Council through whom this year Sheena has managed to obtain a grant for new equipment for juniors at the club.

New members - especially juniors - have been lacking at Huntly for a number of years now, but such has been the interest stirred up by Sheena winning her medal, that an additional weekly club night had already been organised for beginners. The club is now looking forward to a further boost in membership following on from the open nights.

Obviously not every club has the luxury of a Commonwealth Games medallist to attract new members, but the SSRA is keen to work with any club who wishes to arrange a promotional event, and it may be possible to arrange visits from international shooters if deemed beneficial.

First Scottish Title for Bill Copland

9th March 2003

Bill Copland secured his first Scottish title, winning the "Speedway" Short Range Matchplay Championship, held for the first time at the Callander Target Sports Club. Despite not being one of the original sixteen qualifiers, Bill was called up as a reserve and didn't lose a single match, despite a final round of 194. Second place went to Tim Kidner, who only dropped 7 points across the ten cards, with Hugh Simpson third.

Scottish Success in Rifle events at British Airgun Championships

2nd March 2003

David Rattray produced a steady performance at the NSRA Airgun championships to secure the British Senior Men's Rifle title for the third time in ten years. A score of 588 gave him a four point lead going into the final, and this was never in jeopardy even with an 8.8 for the ninth shot. Robin Law also qualified for the final, securing fourth place.

In the Senior Women's final Shirley McIntosh embarrassed most of the GB National Squad, coming second in the championship - having not shot a full match for eleven months. Using new jacket & trousers, delivered just five days before the meeting, Shirley coupled a score of 382 with a steady final of 98.8. Janis Thomson also qualified for the final, securing 4th place.

There were Scottish successes elsewhere, with David Rattray securing second place in the X Class aggregate, and Peter Gray the same place in C Class. Note should also be made of Peter's wife Pat - shooting in her first ever championship - who added over 100 points to her personal best score in her first match, and then raised this once more on the second.

In the team events there was some Scottish success, with the Glenrothes team of Robin Law, Shirley McIntosh & Donald McIntosh coming second in the club team championship, and the Forth & Clyde team of Robin Law, Shirley McIntosh, Donald McIntosh & David Rattray winning the county championship.

The Home Countries matches were less successful, the main team of Robin, David & Shirley coming second to England, and the ladies team of Shirley, Janis & Emma Cole-Hamilton coming third behind England & Wales, despite breaking the Scottish record score for the course of fire.

Robin Law secures Air Rifle Grand Prix

26th February 2003

With one event remaining, both the Air Rifle and Air Pistol Grand Prix Series were decided at Dumfries on Sunday 23rd February. Robin Law secured the Air Rifle series for the 9th time, with Cyril De Jonckheere winning the inaugural Air Pistol series.

Lothian "World Cup" Final win for Alasdair Horne

22nd February 2003

Alasdair Horne won the LSSA World Cup trophy, winners medal and £20, dropping 13 in 12 cards, including an extra card in a tie-shot with Tom Hodgson for a place in the quarter finals. E J Jones was consoled with the runner-up medal and £15. Eddie had qualified for the finals as the last reserve to be called up.

In the 3^rd place shoot-off, Sheena Sharp (199) beat Sinclair Bruce (196).

In the final of the plate competition, for those who failed to make it out of the 2^nd round into the quarter finals, Hugh Simpson’s 199 beat Cyril Jonckheere’s 197.

LSSA would like to thank all who participated for their contribution to an exciting day’s shooting and also Balerno & Currie Rifle Club for their generous hospitality.

Quarter finals x200	Semi-finals x200	Final x200	Winner
J R Sinclair , 194	E J Jones, 197	E J Jones, 197	A J Horne
E J Jones, 195
J J Thompson, 194	A S Bruce, 196
A S Bruce, 199
A J Horne, 198	A J Horne, 198	A J Horne, 199
T Kidner, 195
M Thomson, 197	S M Sharp, 196
S Sharp, 198

Scottish Short Range Championship Qualifiers announced

updated 8th February 2003

The NSRA have announced the qualifiers for the final of the "Daily Record" Scottish Short Range Individual Prone Championship which will be held at Balerno & Currie on Sunday 16th March:

Jim Cole-Hamilton

Donald McIntosh

Martin Sinclair

Nick Baker

Barbara Mackay

Ken Silver

Hugh Simpson

Alan Paul

Tim Kidner

Eddie Jones

Bill Baird

James Henderson

Jim Mudie

Ian Shanks

John Sinclair

Jim Ward

Charles Allan

Neil Calder

David Bremner

Sheena Sharp

Bill Hamilton

Ian Thomson

Jack Lavety

Keith Johnston

As the only qualifier for the Senior final, Keith Johnston is the winner of the Scottish Junior title.

British Short Range Championship Qualifiers announced

7th February 2003

The NSRA have announced the qualifiers for the final of the "News of the World" British Short Range Individual Prone Championship. Eight shooters from Scottish clubs have qualified - Martin Sinclair, Tim Kidner, Cliff Ogle, Ken Silver, David Bremner, Hugh Simpson, Donald McIntosh and Eddie Jones.

Glenrothes humiliated in final of Air Rifle Knock-out

7th February 2003

Glenrothes lost the final of the NSRA Air Rifle KO championship, with poor performances from all three team members. Scottish squad members Donald McIntosh and Robin Law produced their worst performances of the winter season to date, with Shirley McIntosh having a little more excuse given her lack of training. The team could only manage a dismal 563, behind a mediocre score of 572 from winners Fareham.

Scottish Cup Semi-final Qualifiers announced

3rd February 2003

The NSRA have announced the qualifiers for the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup. Having entered for the first time in many years, Balerno & Currie have qualified as have Edinburgh neighbours Watsonians. The other two semi-finalists are northern rivals Bon Accord and Wick Old Stagers.

The semi's and final - along with the final of the individual "Daily Record" Scottish Short Range Championship - will be held at the range of Balerno & Currie in Edinburgh on the 16th of March.

New Junior Records for Emma-Cole Hamilton at SSRA Air Rifle Grand Prix

19th January 2003

Emma Cole Hamilton stole the show once more at the January Air Rifle & Pistol Grand Prix at Glenrothes. Emma equalled her own 40 shot Scottish record of 373 for the 40 shot course, despite a third string of 86, but the other three strings of 94, 96 and 97 show the potential for the future. Emma then went on to produce new Scottish final records of 97.7 and 470.7.

Tony Credland made a welcome return to rifle competition to secure third place in the Grand Prix, with first and second following the regular pattern of Robin Law and Donald McIntosh. Robin now has an eleven point lead in the series, with two events to go.

The pistol event produced a win for Don Robertson, including an excellent final of 96.0, with Peter Hendry and Nicky Credland taking second and third. Cyril De Jonckheere remains at the top of the table, two points clear, with the next event to be held on his home range.