SUCCESS IN SHOOTING AT BISLEY 2016

Sedbergh’s Rifle team had a successful time at Bisley with 19 pupils entering the schools meeting and 14 staying on to shoot the Imperial meeting competitions against adults and cadets from all over the world.

In the Schools Meeting, George Bentley got the week off to a promising start by coming third out of over 500 competitors. The pupils worked hard on the range for two more days of sunshine and showers.

On Thursday, Sedbergh’s 1st VIII started impressively in the Ashburton by winning at 300 yards. At 600 yards, the wind became tricky and Sedbergh lost their lead. A solid performance by all team members at 500 yards was not enough to regain the lead and Sedbergh finished 4th on 754 points with 45 v-bulls, just seven points behind the winners.

Struan Freeborn and Harry Welch won the Cadet Pairs in the open class and William Ross and Lewis Smith came 3rd in the Schools Pair. Harriet Bramwell had an impressive week coming first out of over 500 cadets on Thursday and winning the Fox Quaich and the Silenta Trophy.

She also came second in the Cadet Grand Aggregate based on scores from across three days. Sedbergh won the North of England trophy and Royal Regiment of Fusiliers cup to add to their haul.

The second week at Bisley involves individual shooting as well as some national and county team matches. Struan Freeborn represented Scotland in the Cadet International match and put in a pleasing score of 102/105.

Megan Kenyon and Harriet Bramwell represented Lancashire and Ben Jones represented Yorkshire taking Sedbergh’s current full county caps to six.  

Six pupils, including new caps Struan Freeborn, William Ross and Harriet Bramwell, represented cadet teams in the Inter-services match. Highlights included George Bentley coaching and Katherine Fleck top-scoring (1008) in the Inter-services short-range match in which the UK Cadets beat the regular army convincingly.

Individual success was achieved by Katherine Fleck, Megan Kenyon and Harriet Bramwell who all made it through to the second stage of the St. George’s Prize. Katherine was also top Tyro (junior) in the English XX’s short range competition and qualified for the Chairman’s Prize for the top fifty Tyros.

David Nuthall, Sedbergh’s Shooting Master, and Lauren Crowson, OS and team coach, both finished in the top 50 of the Grand Aggregate and shot in the final of the Queen’s Prize. 

We wish George Bentley and Charlie Cowen all the best for their trip to Canada with the Athelings in August and good luck to Harriet Bramwell and William Ross who will be accompanying David Nuthall to Jersey with the UK Cadet Rifle Team.

Thanks must go to everyone who has made this season such a success for the rifle team. Especially to Mr Ashfield, Dr Ripley and Miss Hendrickse who have made training possible and helped competitions to run smoothly.

Lauren Crowson and Toby Lehmann have given up numerous days to coach the team. Ian Christy, problem-solver extraordinaire, has worked tirelessly for the team all year and deserves special thanks.

Charlie Cowen will be Captain next year and we look forward to another successful season.

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