David Phelps of Llantristant Rifle Club guided Britain to a historic win on Friday as Coach to the GB Roberts Match Team.
Bringing to a close 12 months of selection trials and training camps, Dave fulfilled his final duties leading the wind coaches on Century as GB fought USA for the Earl Roberts Trophy. Britain had pride to regain, having lost at home in 2017 when the Roberts was last contested, and also losing the 2013 and 2021 editions of the reciprocal Pershing Match in the USA.
Friday 15th August was a scorching day. Starting out calm in the early morning, the wind picked up slightly to give light but unstable conditions for the 1pm match start, with temperatures touching 30C with punishing humidity. It was reassuring that the Americans also found it uncomfortable!
Starting at 50metres, American Sarah Beard set the individual pace, with an outstanding 199/200. 197 was the highest GB score from Adam Fowler, Lina Jones and Lenny Thomson, matched by Nick Mowrer and Mike Carter of the US. At the halfway mark, the score was 1937 to 1947 in favour of Britain.
At 100yards, the wind picked up and Dave’s calm recitation of conditions and incoming gusts proved it’s worth as the majority of the GB team kept above 190. Sarah Beard again had the best of it with a score of 197/200, but scores across the remainder of the US team tumbled dramatically.
By the end, GB had dropped 84 points at the longer distance, but the US had dropped 116.
The final result was a definitive GB win, with a 42 point lead being one of the largest margins in recent matches.
Great Britain – 3863 – 3821 – United States
The Roberts and Pershing matches feature teams of ten shooters, each firing twenty shots at 50metres and 100yards. The only difference between the two being that local targets are used. American targets have a larger ten-ring than the British, meaning it is not uncommon for top-flight shooters to go clean, and for ranking to be done by counting back inner-bulls. Each match takes place once every 8 years, on a 4-year offset. GB will travel to the US in 2029 to compete the Pershing Trophy once again.
