Bedfordshire ESP Championships – Martin Scoley Memorial. Sporting Targets 26th May 2008

Once again, the Bedfordshire ESP championship fell victim to foul conditions (our fault really, as we persist with holding the shoot on a bank holiday Monday). Expecting the conditions to be wet and windy, the course was set to have as few wind affected targets as possible and to show plenty of “face” and yielded a winning score of 94 for Overall High Gun Stuart Clarke. Stuart is the eleventh holder of the Martin Scoley Memorial Trophy. Bob Scoley also donated two sets of shooting glasses which were drawn for from B and C class shoot entrants, the winners of these glasses will be notified in due course. In terms of the Bedfordshire championship Jim Munday set the early pace with an 85 which he immediately said was three or four light. Jim held the lead until late in the day when Andy Clifton and Jason Brocket both managed to equal his score. Thankfully all three were pipped at the post by an in form John Stanton who shot an 87 to follow up from last weeks 96 at Kibworth. Thanks John – I don’t think anyone really fancied a shoot off in that weather! In the veterans, Ian Porter made a valiant attempt to defend his title shooting a 78 in the part of the day when the weather really was at its worst only to be thwarted in his attempt by a late score of 80 from Roger Bravery. Malcolm Jenkins came in third with what he described as a “frustrating” 75. Ladies sees a new name on the trophy with Gill Whinnett (70) well clear of Lorna Leonard and Sally Wootton. Ben Pay took juniors on a 71 but I am pleased to report that we have now identified a couple of new junior shooters so hopefully, next year, Ben will face some serious competition. Full results of the shoot can be found at Sporting Targets' web site There were notable performances from Bedfordshire shooters in classes with Gill Whinnett adding victory in C class to the ladies title. Andy Buck won B class on a 79. My thanks to all the refs who gave up their bank holiday to sit in the driving rain and wind on our behalf. Qualification for the teams for the inter-counties at Grange Farm in October was also finalised on the day and these are detailed below.