British Open English Sporting & Sportrap Day 1 Report

Glorious sunshine greeted the morning shooters in the Suffolk countryside for the first day of the British Open English Sporting & Sportrap at High Lodge Leisure Shooting Ground.

For the Sporting course, John Bidwell and his team put on a 15 stand layout consisting of 120 targets to challenge shooters of all abilities.

It was no surprise to see George Digweed MBE post a strong early score of 115 ex 120 in the English Sporting. Heading out in the third squad of the day, the multi-World and European champion was satisfied with his day’s work: “I was happy with my score, I missed a couple at the end which perhaps I shouldn’t have missed, but the main thing was about qualifying for Sunday.”

Commenting on the Sportrap course in which he scored 95 ex 100, George said, “It’s tough. All the targets are there to be shot, but you’ve got to shoot them. I’m happy with my score, I wouldn’t want to have to go and shoot a 96.”

He added: “As usual the ground looks immaculate, Biddy’s done a great job and he’s been doing that for a long time now and it’s always enjoyable to come and shoot here.”

With the top five shooters from each class and top three from each category per day in the English Sporting progressing to the Finals day on Sunday, competition for places was to a high standard.

Steve Clarke led throughout the day on 116 ex 120. Kevin Jobling was the only other shooter to match Steve’s score. Elsewhere, 2013 British Open ESP runner-up, Mark Winser shot 115 ex 120 to see him through to the Finals day on Sunday.

Mark said: “You can’t say that you are not happy with a score like that, it’s a very good score. I was unlucky a few times today and was a bit slack with myself, which cost me a few birds, but overall happy with a 115.”

Cheryl Hall shot 104 ex 120 to top the Ladies category and secure a place in the Finals day on Sunday. Cheryl will return on Sunday to try and defend her Ladies category High Gun title for the fourth successive year. Hannah Gibson (103 ex 120) and Susan Hallwood (95 ex 120) join Cheryl in qualifying for the Finals day.

Susan’s husband Ian Hallwood will also be returning on Sunday to make it a family occasion. Shooting 111 ex 120, Ian securred his place in the top five of AA class.

Despite being injured, Ben Husthwaite who came third overall in this competition in 2014, shot everything one handed to register 94 ex 120 in the English Sporting. Ben said: “It was enjoyable, I couldn’t use my left hand today, so I’ve shot everything one handed. Normally I would have expected to be up there in the 110s, but I can’t grumble.”

Ben will however, be back on Sunday to support his father Malcolm, who shot 105 ex 120 in the Veterans category to secure third place and earn an appearance on Finals day.

For the full English Sporting results from day one, click here, and for the full Sportrap results from day one, click here.