Police Sport UK - 2016 National Championships Clay Pigeon Shooting Section 31 st August to 3 rd September 2016 The National finals once again commenced its three discipline event (Sporting, Skeet and Down The Line) at Beverley Clay Target Centre Ltd, Cherry Burton, Humberside. This Competition attracts over 200 Serving and Retired Police Officers and Staff, from all over the UK. The sporting competition once again had competitor numbers near to 200, from 35 forces to contest the championship. The ground was set for a 14 stand course, which was set for all to enjoy, but to also test the more experienced competitors, with sunshine and a gentle breeze, weather was better in the morning, with the odd shower for the afternoon squads. In the Morning session 100 shooters tackled the variety of targets set by the club, and scores evenly reflected the ability of the contestants, with many scores in the middle to high 70 s and low 80 s, and only one score in the 90 s. And this year the 100 afternoon shooters had the necessary impetus to match the morning scores. In the Individual Serving Open the Gold Medal, Dean Morris (PS Scotland) shooting on the first squad, led the charge from the beginning, his shooting was admired by the rest of his squad, and other s who were fortunate to witness, a very good score in progress, as he made his way around the course, coming into his last stand, he had only dropped 4 single targets on the previous 13 Stands, but the tricky left to right high crosser, completely beat him on his final stand, however his score of 93/100, was the bench mark for the rest of the day. Past Winner Simon Fenner (Sussex) Managed a creditable score of 87/100, and in the afternoon session, several top shooters, came close with scores in the mid eighties, but only Steve Smith (Lincolnshire) top scored this session with 89/100 to take the Silver Medal, leaving Dean to win the Gold Medal and the Eric Tiplady Trophy, and Simon to Collect the Bronze Medal. In the Individual Retired Officers event, Nigel Hirst (West Yorkshire) Led the way in the Morning Session with a score of 85/100, with Dave Wincott (West Mercia) and Gary McCann (Leicestershire) on 84/100, The Afternoon session had several top shooters in the squads, and Two Leicestershire shooters Paul Darby and Paul Murgatroyd joined Dave and Gary on 84/100, however with team Lincolnshire still on the course, they were led home by their Stalwart shooter, Dave Harwood, who returned the only other score of 90 plus on the day, by finishing with 90/100, this was enough to secure him the Gold Medal and the Shotts Motor Auction Trophy, Nigel Hirst took the Silver Medal, and a shoot off for the Bronze Medal was won by Paul Darby. The Novice High gun was won by Nick Fenner (Devon & Cornwall) with an excellent score of 83/100.
The Ladies High Gun was again won by Becky Spicer (Leicestershire) with a score of 80/100. The team event was won by Lincolnshire with a score of 417/500 (Dave Harwood, Steve Smith, Mike Alford, Andrew Harwood, Mark Marsden ) Second were Leicestershire A Team on 400/500 ( Paul Darby,Alex Nixon, Clive Eames, Jim Wood, Gary McCann), in third place were the Leicestershire B Team with a score of 392/500 (Paul Murgatroyd, Ali Williams, Becky Spicer, Pete Watson, Chris Cockerill). The Home International was won by England on 420/500, Scotland were second on 392/500, Wales Third on 375/500 and Northern Ireland fourth on 366/500. The skeet competition once again, took place over two days of shooting at East Yorkshire Gun Club, the targets once again appeared to be set to the competition markers, but with occasional brilliant sunshine and some wind this did bring some challenges to the competitors, as they were obviously not used to these changing conditions, for once we get almost perfect shooting conditions, and we still make the customary excuses for missing. This year, Steve Smith (Lincolnshire) had to shoot all of his targets on the first day of this competition, due to other family commitments, he led the way by scoring 99/100, only missing a target on the middle station pair on his third round to take the title and the Gold Medal, Simon Fenner (Sussex) dropped two targets on his first round and then managed to kill the next 75 in his next three rounds to record a score of 98/100 which was enough for the Silver Medal, Julian Williams (Northamptonshire) took the Bronze Medal on 97/100 after a shoot off with Jan Powell (Northamptonshire), Andy Harwood (Lincolnshire) and Mick Jones (Derbyshire). In the Retired Officers event, a shoot of was required to separate the following shooters who returned a score of 97/100, PJ Whyte (PSNI/RUC A ) took the Gold Medal and Trophy with team mate P. Saunders (PSNI/RUC A ) taking the Silver Medal and Graham Anstey (Meropolitan) taking the Bronze Medal. The Novice High gun was won by Mick Jones (Derbyshire) with his score of 97/100. The Ladies High Gun was won by Linda Pearson (South Yorkshire) with a score of 90/100. The team event was won by Lincolnshire with a score of 469/500 (Steve Smith, Dave Harwood, Mike Alford, Andrew Harwood, Mark Marsden). In Second Place were the Metropolitan A team on 466/500 (Roger Keightley, Dave Andes, Simon Williams, Richard Weller, Neil Morgan). In Third place were the PSNI/RUC A team on 462/500 (PJ Whyte, P. Saunders, S. Connolly, R. Dick, I. Wilson) The Home International was eventually won by England on 472/500 (S. Csehi, N. Hirst, R. Weller, J. Powell, S. Fenner), Northern Ireland were second on 462/500, Scotland were Third on 447/500, and Wales in fourth place with 431/500.
The DTL competition once again, took place on the final day of shooting at East Yorkshire Gun Club, the targets were once again set to competition status, and we were again blessed with early brilliant sunshine and a blustery wind, and some heavy rain in the afternoon for the final rounds, not quite perfect conditions, as a finale to this year s event. With such conditions, expectation of several scores of the much desired 100/100 were anticipated, with the medal positions being decided by the number of second barrel shots needed to break the targets. However all the shooters, managed to miss at least one target or more. Julian Williams (Northamptonshire) took the Individual Gold Medal and Donald Ireland Trophy, with a score of 98/292 pts. Steve Scorer (Northumbria) who was making his debut at this year s event, took the silver medal with a score of 97/287 pts, and Simon Williams (Metropolitan) on Leave from his current overseas posting taking the Bronze medal on 97/285 pts. In the Retired Officers event, Keith Sparks (Kent) shooting on the early squads, took the Gold Medal with a score of 99/292 pts. Ash Parfrement (Nottinghamshire), took the silver medal with 99/291 pts, and Ray Mayo (Thames Valley) took the Bronze Medal with a score of 98/290pts. The Novice High gun was won by Steve Scorer (Northumbria) who scored 97/287 pts. The Ladies High Gun was won again by Leanne Powell (Northamptonshire) with a score of 98/284 pts. The Scottish High Gun was won by Sandy Souter (PS Scotland) who scored 97/283 pts The team event was won by Metropolitan A Team on 1415/1500 pts. (R. Weller, S. Williams, A. Read, G. Anstey, R. Keightley) In Second Place were the PSNI/RUC A Team on 1411/1500pts. (PJ Whyte, R. Dick, J. Crozier, I. Wilson, P. Saunders) In Third place were the West Yorkshire team on 1383/1500 pts. (T. Allerton, T. Thomas, A. Woodhead, N. Hirst, M. Hunter). The Home International was won by Northern Ireland on 1411/1500 pts, Scotland were second on 1368/1500 pts, Wales Third on 1342/1500 pts, and England Fourth on 1212/1500 pts.
At this year s presentation night dinner, Our New Chairman, Mr Giles York (Chief Constable of Sussex Police) presented Dave Harwood with the Police Sport UK Award of Excellence, for his service to the Clay Pigeon Shooting Section, and the Lincolnshire Police Team, Over the past 29 years he has won over 100 Championship Medals, represented the England Police Team and PSUK National Team, and served as a committee member for several year s prior to Retirement. The Police Sport UK Citation was read by the PSUK General Manager, Mr Ian Campbell. Regards Gary McCann Secretary Police Sport UK Clay Pigeon Shooting Section. Julian Williams (Northamptonshire) DTL Gold Medal Winner Skeet Bronze Medal Winner Overall High Gun English High Gun DTL & Sporting Combined Winner DTL & Skeet Combined Winner
Left to Right: Mr Ian Campbell PSUK General Manager Dave Harwood (Lincolnshire) Mr Giles York (Chair of PSUK CPSS Section Chief Constable Sussex Police)