Tag: Target Rifle

Welsh shooters keep English honest at ESSU Championships

by adminin Competition News

Welsh shooters represented at the English Open 50M Championships at NSRA Aldersley this weekend, following in the footsteps of Liam Webster’s Open Championship win last year.

In the 50M Prone, Alun Evans of Tondu and Richard Hemingway of Rugeley qualified 3rd and 4th with 616.5 and 616.2 respectively. Also making it to the Championship shoot were John Moore of Penarth and Adam Gabrys of Torfaen. Steve Gurner and Mick Crook were eliminated in the first stage.

In the Prone Championship match, English competitor Shelbie Marsland ran away with the win, scoring 620.1. Behind her was a six-way battle for the remaining medals, with scores between 615.5 and 616.5. Richard and Alun placed 5th and 7th respectively. John Moore placed 13th and Adam Gabrys 14th.

Top scores in the Prone Medal battle:

COmpetitorscoreposition
Shelbie Marsland620.1Open & Confined Champion
Sean Bett616.5Open & Confined 2nd
Kosta Loukas616.3Open 3rd
Simon Green616.0Open 4th/Confined 3rd
Richard Hemingway615.9Open 5th
Matt Dixon615.7Open 6th
Alun Evans615.5Open 7th

The meeting had further Welsh involvement, being supported by the WTSF through supply and operation of the Megalink target system.

Aidan sets British Record at British Shooting Championships

by Web Teamin Announcements

Congratulations to Aidan Healy who set a new British Junior Record in August.

Shooting in the Three-Position 50Metre Rifle event at the British Shooting Pathway Championships in August, Aidan broke his own PB and Welsh Junior Record of 565 (set at the Junior International) with a huge score of 571. This was significantly in excess of the existing British Junior Men’s record (563, set in May 2025 at the Gibraltar Open by Louis Norman). British Shooting have now ratified the new record (webarchive link).

A group of target shooters compete form the kneeling position on an oudoor rifle range.

WSPS Bronze for Alun

by Web Teamin Competition News

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.

A man holds a rifle in his hands. He wears a visor bearing a Union Flag motif and a red leather shooting jacket.

2025 National Meeting

by Web Teamin Competition News

Wales was present again at the NSRA National Meeting at Bisley this year with a tent and teams contesting the Home Countries matches.

The Weekend Aggregate saw Richard Hemingway place 19th in X-Class, whilst RM Davies took 12th in A-Class. Chris Nunan placed 4th in C. In the Grand Aggregate, Fred Brown won the WH Watkins Challenge Cup for Leading Welsh Competitor.

A group of smiling people pose for a group photograph on a shooting range. The three at the front are seated. They wear tops bearing the emblem of the Welsh Target Shooting Federation.

Wales contested the Home Countries International Mixed Team of 10 and Men’s Team of 5, placing third in both matches. Congratulations to Chris Nunan, Colin Pearce and Dave Parfitt who all received their first cap for Wales in the process.

Competitor50M100Ydaggregatemen’s team of 5
R Hemingway193189382Y
F Brown190187377Y
C Nunan189186375Y
J Holmes190183373
L Webster188183371Y
E Jones189180369
C Pearce181185366Y
R Beard183183366
D Parfitt186180366
S Day181180361
Team Totals37061871

In the British Long-Range Prone Championship (the Earl Roberts), four Welsh shooters qualified to the second stage – Richard Hemingway, Fred Brown, Chris Nunan and Judith Holmes. In the second stage, Richard qualified for the Final where he placed 10th and earned the Western Mail & Echo Cup as leading Welsh competitor.

Two smiling men stand in a tent, one is holding a medal they have been awarded. It bears a red welsh dragon and the words "Welsh Shooting".
David receives his first Welsh cap
Two smiling men stand in a tent, one is holding a medal they have been awarded. It bears a red welsh dragon and the words "Welsh Shooting".
Chris receives his first Welsh cap
Two smiling men stand in a tent, one is holding a medal they have been awarded. It bears a red welsh dragon and the words "Welsh Shooting".
Colin receives his first Welsh cap
A group of smiling men pose for a group photograph on a shooting range. The three at the front are seated. They wear tops bearing the emblem of the Welsh Target Shooting Federation.
A man kneels next to a plotting board on a shooting range. He is holding an unloaded target rifle and wearing a red and green shooting jacket. The board is titled "Earl Roberts Final" and the shots on the target have been marked by a spotter along with estimated scores for the benefit of spectators.
Richard with plotting board after the Roberts Championship
Two smiling men stand holding silver trophies. One is in a casual white shirt and black jacket. The other is suited with a red and green tie and a black blazer bearing a red and green badge. The badge reads "Welsh Target Shooting Federation" and is embroidered with the Prince of Wales Feathers. They stand in front of a table covered in a blue cloth, on which stands a huge silver trophy. Behind the table the Union flag and other flags are hung.
Fred & Richard – leading Welsh competitors in the Aggregate and Roberts

Dave guides GB to historic win

by Web Teamin Competition News

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!

A man sits on a plastic chair on a shooting range firing point. He looks over this right shoulder to see the behaviour of wind flags behind him and any incoming gusts. A scope is mounted in front of him on a tripod, allowing him to watch the movement of mirage. Blurred red and yellow wind flags are visible in the distance.

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.

Three smiling men stand on a shooting range. They wear black caps with the word "Eley" on it, and hold a box of Eley Tenex match ammunition. They wear shirts bwith the words "Roberts Match GB 2025" on.
Dave with GB Team Captain Mike Arnstein and Adjutant Chris Hunter

Aidan & Brinley score at Junior International

by Web Teamin Competition News1 Comment on Aidan & Brinley score at Junior International

Aidan Healy and Brinley Rose both shot strongly at the GB Junior International, held in Surrey prior to the NSRA National Meeting.

In the Prone, Brinley put in strong and improving scores of 561 in the Grand Prix and 564 in the Championship match.

Aidan won the 50M Mixed 3×20 with an excellent score of 565, which we believe to be a Welsh Junior Men’s Record.

Challenging conditions at Welsh 50M Open

by Web Teamin Competition News1 Comment on Challenging conditions at Welsh 50M Open

This weekend saw competitors sweat it out in 29degree temperatures at the Welsh 50M Championships, held at Tondu Target Shooting Club.

Saturday morning saw uncommonly calm conditions for Tondu, leaving the firing point hot and humid. Competitors contested one of three elimination details with the top qualifers of each squad progressing to the Open Final on Saturday afternoon, and the top 15 WSRA members progressing to the Confined Final on Sunday morning.

Paris Paralympic Games medallist Tim Jeffrey managed the highest qualifying score to win X-Class with 623.7. He was closely followed by Alan Bain on 622.4. Chris Hunter also cracked the 620 mark with 620.3. In the Pairs, Rob Morgan and Alan Ainge of Torfaen took the B/C Pairs, whilst the Open Pairs saw a tie-break – Chris Hunter and Simon Green lost the countback to Tim Jeffrey and Alun Evans. Aidan Healy was top Welsh Junior whilst Chris Brown was top Veteran.

A welcome breeze picked up for the Open Final, where Tim improved on the moning with a score of 624.1 to become the 2025 Welsh Open Champion. Matt Dixon took silver and Chris Hunter bronze.

Sunday morning dawned with welcome drizzle and a fresher breeze. Liam Webster made the best of it to become Welsh Confined Champion with 610.1. Defending champion Richard Hemingway placed second, with Martin Newman in third. Liam became the first recipient of the DWF Phelps Welsh Outdoor Championship Trophy. In previous years prizes have been awarded for the confined championship, but the Association has now acquired a trophy for annual competition, which has been named to honour double Commonwealth Games gold medallist David Phelps.

Sunday also saw the Open Three-Position match, by which time the wind was back to “Tondu Standard”. Olivia Beech of Rugeley RC and Wigan TSC made the best of the difficult conditions with 564/600, closely followed by Alun Evans on 562 and Louis Norman on 558. A special mention to Neil Sinclair who suffered a non-allowable malfunction with his sights (meaning no extra time was granted) but managed to complete the match, finishing his entire Standing phase in the last 10 minutes with a 90 and 91, which got him to fourth place.

Enormous thanks go to organisers Dave Phelps, Rob Warnes and Niall Evans who brought the targetry to the site, ran the range and kept the event running smoothly. Thanks also go to Tondu TSC for the generous use of their range.

Full Results

  • A target shooter aims on a shooting range. They wear a red hat and a special blue and white jacket shooting which has the name "Jeffery" stitched onto the back of it.
  • Two people stand on a shooting range holding a trophy
  • Two people stand in front of a projection screen. The man wearing a formal jacket and tie presents prize to an athlete.
  • Two people stand in front of a projection screen. The man wearing a formal jacket and tie presents prize to an athlete.
  • Two people stand in front of a projection screen. The man wearing a formal jacket and tie presents prize to an athlete.
  • Three people stand in front of a projection screen. The man wearing a formal jacket and tie presents prizes to two athletes.
  • Two people stand in front of a projection screen. The man wearing a formal jacket and tie presents prize to an athlete.
  • Two people stand in front of a projection screen. The man wearing a formal jacket and tie presents prize to an athlete.
  • Two people stand in front of a projection screen. The man wearing a formal jacket and tie presents prize to an athlete.
  • Two people stand in front of a projection screen. The man wearing a formal jacket and tie presents prize to an athlete.
  • Two people stand in front of a projection screen. The man wearing a formal jacket and tie presents prize to an athlete.
  • Two people stand in front of a projection screen. The man wearing a formal jacket and tie presents prize to an athlete.
  • Two people stand in front of a projection screen. The man wearing a formal jacket and tie presents prize to an athlete.
  • Two people stand in front of a projection screen. The man wearing a formal jacket and tie presents a prize to an athlete.
  • Two people stand in front of a projection screen. The man wearing a formal jacket and tie presents a medal to an athlete.
  • Two people stand in front of a projection screen. The man wearing a formal jacket and tie presents a medal to an athlete.
  • Two people stand in front of a projection screen. The man wearing a formal jacket and tie presents a medal to an athlete.
  • Two people stand in front of a projection screen. The man wearing a formal jacket and tie presents a medal to an athlete.
  • Two people stand in front of a projection screen. The man wearing a formal jacket and tie presents a medal to an athlete.
  • Two people stand in front of a projection screen. The man wearing a formal jacket and tie presents a medal to an athlete.
  • Two people stand in front of a projection screen. The man in a red, white and green top presents a prize to an athlete.
  • Two people stand in front of a projection screen. The man in a red, white and green top presents a prize to an athlete.
  • Three people pose in front of a projection screen. The man in a red, white and green top presents a prize to an athlete wearing black who is seated in a wheelchair.
  • Two people stand in front of a projection screen. The man in a red, white and green top presents a prize to an athlete.
  • A male Para athlete aims a target rifle from the "kneeling" position. As he is in a wheelchair, this means he allowed to rest his left elbow but the right elbow must be unsupported in free space. He wears visor bearing the Welsh dragon and a red and green shooting jacket.
  • A female athlete loads a round into a smallbore target rifle The rearsight is mounted on tall sight raising blocks. The silver chassis bears the Walther logo.

GB Caps for Hemingway and Corish

by Web Teamin Competition News

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.

Gold for Team Wales at British 50Metre Championships

by Web Teamin Competition News

The WSRA team won the Home Countries 3-Position Rifle Match at the NSRA British 50Metre Championships this weekend, pipping England by just three points – 1655 to 1652. Congratulations to team members Richie Bray, Alun Evans and Aidan Healy.

The team honours were matched with individual success – Alun won Silver and Richie took Bronze in the NSRA British Mixed 3P Championship.

An athlete in a wheelchair receives a medal from a match official in front of a podium and white backdrop.
Richie receives individual 3P Bronze
Three people are on a shooting range holding medals. All wear red and white shirts bearing the logo of the Welsh Target Shooting Federation. The young man in the middle is flanked by two men in wheelchairs.
Richie, Aidan and Alun win Team 3P Gold
An athlete in a wheelchair receives a medal from a match official in front of a podium and white backdrop.
Alun receives individual 3P Silver
Athletes on the firing point at the 2024 British 50Metre Championships. A row of shooters are firing from the kneeling position on a covered firing point looking onto an outdoor range. Photo: Eleanor Shorey, https://www.nsratheshorey.com