The recent 155th Imperial Meeting at Bisley has been one of the most memorable for OCRC in recent years. The omens are good and it is very encouraging to be able share positive results.
OCRC and Cranleigh at the CCF Schools’ Meeting
Several members of the Old Cranleighan Rifle Club volunteered to help coach or support the school team during the CCF Schools’ Meeting. This year’s team were mainly drawn from the LVth year group, and without exception the team showed a willingness to learn and improve through the week.
The first few days were spent trying to establish good position and technique from the team, and also to iron out some shooting equipment issues. This meant that a number of the pupils were sharing rifles or sights as we progressed through, but to positive effect.
Ashburton day saw things really start to come together. The team started with mixed scores at 300x, building on the performance steadily from the previous few days. As the day progressed however, things really began to change – the level of focus rapidly increased, with the rate of loose shots dramatically dropping. At the final distance of 500x, the team averaged a score of just under 30 points per firer, climbing to 5th place on the leaderboard for the first time in at least 40 years.
This was an absolutely momentous result for Cranleigh School, of which we are immensely proud. We also cannot wait to welcome the team members to the club in a few years’ time.
The Schools’ Veterans
Arguably the raison d’etre of OCRC, this match saw us pit our best team of five against those of all other UK school alumni clubs, including heavy hitters such as Bradfield, Epsom, and Wellington. It was encouraging to see the team record a score of 241.25v: 16th place ex 44 and our best score for 15 years.
Interesting to note our novice club member Alex Sheikh who recently left Cranleigh put in an excellent score of 48. If his score had been included in the five, it would have elevated OCRC to 7th place! A brilliant performance for his second outing with the club.
The Imperial Meeting: Rob’s Story
Rob Welford began the week as the opening wind coach for Old Cranleighans in the Schools’ Veterans, followed up the next morning by wind coaching for Wimbledon Common RC. That club went on to win the Astor County Clubs Challenge Cup for a third successive year, the team of six firers dropping only six points for 624.78 and winning by 2 points. In the individual stages, Rob put in possibles (all shots in the bullseye) in the Wimbledon, Conan Doyle and St. George’s Stage 1 competitions.
The Imperial Meeting: Tim’s Story
Having been main wind coach for Cranleigh in the Ashburton and the closing wind coach for Old Cranleighans in the Schools’ Veterans, Tim Bourne went on to score possibles in the Alexandra, Times, Conan Doyle competitions and also qualified for his first King’s Final. As a Tyro, this meant prize lists galore for Tim, as well as qualification for the Chairman’s Prize Final. Tim narrowly missed out on the Admiral Hutton Tyro Trophy, just two points behind the winner.
Tim was also selected to represent Hertfordshire in the County Championship Long and Short Range. As a finalist in the King’s Prize, Tim is now promoted to “A” Class.
The Imperial Meeting: Simon’s Story
Simon had a very busy fortnight, starting with the Match Rifle element of the Imperial Meeting where marksmen shoot from ranges of 1000 to 1200 yards, often with scoped rifles and top-grade match ammunition. Simon entered using his target rifle and some ammunition he had made himself. Needless to say, it was an educational (if not high-scoring) experience for him!
Through the following week, Simon helped coach and plot for the school team at the schools meeting including the Ashburton. He also took part in the BCRC Overseas Match as part of the England Rifle Team. This team was picked from the England touring squad going to the USA in September of which Simon is a member. In the match, Simon recorded the joint top score for the team. Simon also achieved the top score of 50.7v for the Old Cranleighans in the Schools’ Veterans Match.
In the Target Rifle meeting, Simon had a very strong week, finishing 28th out of 647 entrants in the Grand Aggregate, and qualifying for the final stages of the Donaldson Memorial, St George’s, and King’s Prize competitions, and placing in the top 50 for each – effectively achieving the kudos of “XXX” accreditation. Simon was also selected to represent England in the prestigious National Match against Wales, Ireland, and Scotland – a first for any Old Cranleighan in the sport of Target Rifle, certainly in recent history. England won with a score of 2073.275 (Wales next best at 2060.242).
Looking Ahead
The club’s next fixture is the OCRC Prize Meeting on Saturday 7th September. This will see all club members compete for a number of trophies on offer. Simon will meanwhile be competing in the Spirit of America National Fullbore Championships in Raton, New Mexico, as part of the England Rifle Team.
OCRC looks forward to supporting Cranleigh School next year. The format of a practice day at school in March followed by presence/assistance at the Schools’ Meeting in July works well but it may be feasible to expand that format.
Of course OCRC is always open to new membership enquiries from Old Cranleighans, young or old, experienced or not. You do not have to have shot whilst at the school, as we are equipped to coach novice members up to the level they will wish to shoot to. Please contact ocrc.hon.sec@outlook.com if you wish to join us.
