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News > OWBA Sports Reports > Shooting > Bisley 2025: West Buckland School Veterans Return to the Range

Bisley 2025: West Buckland School Veterans Return to the Range

24 Jul 2025
Shooting
West Buckland School Veterans' Rifle Club 2025
West Buckland School Veterans' Rifle Club 2025

This year’s Ashburton Day saw ten members of the West Buckland School Veterans’ Rifle Club (WBSVRC) gather at the Short Siberia range in Bisley for the annual Club Championships, followed by the Schools’ Veterans Match later that evening.

The day began in fine spirits, with a superb lunch generously provided by our own Adrian Jarrad. Shooting was scheduled to commence at 13:30, but the British weather had other ideas. As heavy rain swept across the range, the team took temporary refuge under the gazebo - until a gust lifted the roof and delivered a large quantity of rainwater straight down Adrian’s neck, to the great amusement of all (Adrian included).

Once the skies cleared, the competition began at 200 yards. Wakefield Morys-Carter opened with an impressive 50.8 - one of the finest scores in club history - only to be outdone moments later by Andy Bell, who posted a perfect 50.10. Suspicion was understandably aroused, and a quick inspection revealed that the electronic target had been mistakenly set to 1000 yards, making high scores inevitable. After resetting the system, the Squires Cup could begin in earnest.

Squires Cup Results (200 yards):

  • Dave Pote – 50.9 (Winner)
  • Andy Robertson – 47.4
  • Andy Bell – 39.0
  • Wakefield Morys-Carter – 38.1
  • Chris Wilson – 38.1
  • Adrian Jarrad – 38.0
  • Mat Coombs – 37.1
  • Mark Beckett – 37.1
  • Duncan Gray – 35.0
  • Simon Holt – 34.0

These results determined the composition of our A and B teams for the Schools’ Veterans Match at 500 yards, which saw entries from 44 schools. Out of a maximum possible score of 50.10 (with ".10" indicating V-bulls — inner bullseyes), the teams performed admirably:

Schools’ Veterans Match (500 yards):

A Team:

  • Dave Pote – 49.4
  • Andy Robertson – 44.2
  • Andy Bell – 40.0
  • Chris Wilson – 39.1
  • Wakefield Morys-Carter – 35.1

Total: 207.8 – 40th place 

B Team:

  • Mark Beckett – 43.3
  • Mat Coombs – 42.3
  • Duncan Gray – 42.2
  • Simon Holt – 39.2
  • Adrian Jarrad – 37.3

Total: 204.3 – 21st place out of 28 teams

 

Club Trophies:

Squires Cup (200 yds): Dave Pote

Saunders Memorial (500 yds): Dave Pote

Best First Sighter: Andy Robertson

Best V-bull: Mark Beckett

 

The day was a memorable blend of camaraderie, competition, and characteristically unpredictable weather—another fine chapter in the long tradition of West Buckland marksmanship.

 

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