Congratulations to Alun Evans who has won a Bronze medal at the World Shooting Para Sport Grand Prix in Serbia. Competing in the Men’s 50m 3P Rifle (R7) event, Alun scored 560/600 to find his way into third place with a steady and consistent shoot.
Para Sport “Three-Position” rifle is shot entirely from a seated position. The Prone portion allows the athlete to rest both elbows on a table in a seated version of the prone position. The kneeling segment requires their triggering arm to be unsupported, whilst the standing phase sees them hold the rifle freely in their seated position. The positions all resemble a seated version of the ISSF equivalents.
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.
Dave with GB Team Captain Mike Arnstein and Adjutant Chris Hunter
Welsh shooters Sian Corish and Richard Hemingway were selected to shoot for Great Britain on Saturday after excellent performances in the Dewar Match Trials held at Appleton Rifle Club.
Scoring 789/800, Richard finished top of his squad to qualify for the team. Sian placed fourth in the same squad. The top five from each of four squads made up the team of twenty.
The Dewar Match is an International Postal against the United States, with South Africa and Australia also entering in some years. Following the Trials, the team shot their cards – the scores of which are embargoed until the other teams have shot their end of the match. Liam Webster also qualified for the trials, but missed selection from his squad after a difficult shoot at 100yards.
