50th English Sporting Home International Report

The 50th English Sporting Home International took place on the 10th September at Westfield Shooting Ground.

Steve Lovatt and his team arranged for some practice targets at nearby Windrush Ground to get all the teams in the mood for his challenging course. There were seven home countries taking part in this, which is regarded by most as the pinnacle of team events in the country. 

The shoot was made up of 100 targets over 14 stands split into 2 courses of 50. The stands consisted of either 3 or 4 pairs of quality targets and with over 160 people taking part it would have to run like clockwork. 

As the shooters were coming into the clubhouse some had smiling faces and others had disappointed faces, there was a buzz that began to develop as regards to who shot what and which Country was wining! 

England’s Phil Easeman came in with a massive 49 ex 50 on what was considered to be the hardest course (stands 8-14) and there were three on 48 ex 50 all from Wales.

Once the scores were being submitted to the computer it emerged that Wales were leading the senior team event by 6 clays over England (England seniors haven’t t lost a Home international since the 1970s) was this going to be the year they got beaten? 

In the afternoon session the rotation was once again working very well and everything was running smoothly. Phil Easeman’s score was causing a large amount of interest, clearly the man most people thought they needed to catch, after his efforts in the morning.

Phil scored 43 to make a total of 92 which was very good but Phil was a bit disappointed as he let 2/3 slip away.

Rob Claybrook from Wales carried on from his morning’s score of 48 to score 47 in 2nd session to finish on 95 to earn the High Gun Trophy. Very well done Rob! 

A tense shoot-off for the Captain’s Cup saw England’s Arnie Palmer defeat Paul Heywood from Wales to earn the England captain bragging rights for 2016.

Despite an Englishman not taking the overall High Gun, team England made amends on the team awards, taking a clean sweep across the board. 

The fantastic Ice Sculpture of a giant 50 at the evening banquet looked absolutely amazing and the small touches including an engraved glass with 50th anniversary  on it were all greatly appreciated by the shooters. 

There was also a free raffle with prizes and I would like to thank on the behalf of the CPSA: Hull Cartridges (these give you the confidence to win) John Bidwell and High Lodge for their long weekend in one of their luxurious lodges (this was won by Scotland’s Edith Barnes) John Bridges of ‘Starshot', Eley Hawk, Southdown Gun Club, Bisley Shooting Ground and E J Churchill, these prizes help make this event one to remember!

Also, I woul like to offer our thanks to Steve and Allison along with their team of kitchen staff and we must not forget the referees.

To view the full results, click here and for all the scores, click here. 

Words: Richard Hunter