Our target rifle shooters capped off an outstanding season by winning the Ashburton Challenge Shield for the first time since 1985, a trophy which was first presented in 1861 by the third Baron Ashburton. Their triumph at the annual Schools Meeting at Bisley comes at the end of a year in which the shots have won countless team and individual honours, including the prestigious National Ely ‘Country Life’ .22 Public Schools Cup.
Having prepared meticulously for the Ashburton competition, the cadets got off to the best possible start, shooting a 232&9v’s at 300 yards to top the early leader board, just ahead of their closest rivals who were just 3v’s behind on 232&6v’s.
The team did not look back as they followed up with a strong combined score of 225&6v’s in tricky conditions at the longest shoot of the competition at 600 yards. The cadets kept their composure in the final 500-yard shoot, producing their best performance of the day to score 234&7v’s and winning the title by a sizeable margin with a total score of 691&22v’s.
Maya (J), who whilst at Bisley ranges in April received her trophy as top cadet at short range in the grand aggregate during the 2021 Imperial Meeting, was this year’s top shot in the Ashburton competition. Her outstanding 95&5v’s landed her both The Fox Quaich, as top overall shot, and the Silenta Trophy, as top U16 shot, a contest in which fellow Bradfield cadets Issy (I) and William (H) also placed in the top five. Master-in-Charge of Shooting, Steve Bates, was awarded the Allhallows Salver as the Ashburton Champion Coach.
The success didn’t stop there for Bradfield with several Old Bradfieldians shooting well for the Veterans in a closely-contested Schools Veterans Team competition. The OBs finished 7th scoring 242&28v’s, just two points off third place, and, when the two team scores were combined, Bradfield were announced as the victors in The Lucas Challenge Cup. The score of 933&50v’s was an impressive twenty points ahead of second place.
The Meeting was also a memorable one for Old Bradfieldian and former Captain Annabel Morriss (J 17-21). Having been the top cadet at long range in the grand aggregate and winning the Donaldson Memorial Trophy at the 2021 Imperial Meeting, Annabel’s superb 71&6v’s at 1000 yards in this year’s Queen’s Final saw her finish 20th overall.
