British Skeet Shooting Association

2009 BSSA Championship.

Click Here for the full BSSA Championship scores.

The host shooting ground for this year's BSSA Championship was Dartford GC. Those of us who shot the UK Open in 2008 remember vividly the appalling monsoon weather conditions. This year's BSSA was blessed, the rain stayed away, the wind was minimal and the sun shone through on the final day. What more could we ask for?
 
This is the first BSSA gauge Championship shoot since the BSSA AGM last August when it was voted that we run 4 man squads and 1 hour and 15 minute rotations. I have to say that the extra 15 minutes per rotation seemed to make for a much more relaxed event. Comments would be useful!
 
The twelve gauge attracted 45 entries. Although the wind was minimal and there was no rain, Gordon forgot to order the correct cloud. The sky was full of black clouds that made for some interesting kill zones and more importantly where you could actually pick up the targets from the trap house.
 
In true skeet shooter fashion get the excuses out of the way first.
 
By the time we had dodged the cloud, Derek Wilson was Champion with the only ton. Bloomers after a mega shoot off with Dave Morgan runner up (thinking about it Wilson and Bloomers could see under the black clouds?), Dave Morgan was AA1, Mick Rolstone was A1, Alistair Green was B1, Liz Green was C1 and Lady Champion, Rodney Jessup was D1, Steve Burrow E1, Tony May was Veteran Champion and Louis Mondesir was Junior Champion.
 
By the time we started the 28 gauge, the whole shoot was buzzing.
 
33 entries and two straights in the 28 gauge. After a shoot off Nick Marsden was 28 gauge Champion and David Lackmaker runner up (good to see the big guy back!). AA 1 was myself, Andrew McNamara was A1, Tony May was B1, TJ Wright was C1, Brian Gregory was D1, Liz Green was Lady Champion, Vallance Fraser was Veteran Champion and Louis Mondesir was Junior Champion.
 
Day two was bright and sunny threatening to get hot in the afternoon. The slightly tricky conditions were also making for a great shoot atmosphere. At this stage there were several contenders still in the hunt.
 
36 entries in the 20 gauge and two straights Bloomers and Dave Morgan. After the shoot off Peter Bloomfield was Champion and Dave Morgan runner up. Nick Coupe was AA1, Mick Rolstone was A1, TJ Wright was C1, Hector Dallas was D1, Lady Champ was Liz Green, Veteran Champion was Tony May and the Junior Champion was Louis Mondesir.
 
I should mention that if anyone is after any 20 gauge shells, Vallance is the boy to see! Vall has 20 gauge shells you could bring down satellites with!
 
The door to the championship was wide open, as is always the case it's the .410 that sorts it all out and this shoot was no different.
 
32 entries in the .410 championship, Nick Coupe won the .410 with Nick Marsden runner up. The significance of these two scores is that they both had to do it, and did. Dave Morgan was AA1, Mickey Dore was A1, Mick Rolstone was B1, Steve Roberts C1, Hector Dallas was D1, Liz Green was Lady Champion, Vallance Fraser was Veteran Champion (I forgot to check the .410, rumour has it they were six inches long) and Junior Champion Louis Mondesir.
 
The HOA was tight right to the end. When you look at the scores, you can see that there were battles going on across the HOA for Championship and class wins. The HOA Championship, given the tricky conditions, was open right to the end and is testimony to the small gauge shooters we have and are developing in the UK.
 
Nick Marsden held his nerve and shot brilliantly for the HOA Championship on 395, Dave Morgan again given that he was running the shoot was HOA runner up on 393, Nick Coupe was HOA AA1 on 392, Mick Rolestone was HOA A1 on 382. TJ Wright was HOA B1 on 379. Stuart Wilkieson was HOA C1 on 362. Brian Gregory was HOA D1 on 347. Lady HOA Champion was Liz Green on 330. Veteran HOA Champion was John Hewitt on 370, and Junior Champion was Louis Mondesir.
 
I should point out that the Veteran Champion should have been shot off and was missed. Therefore to report a champion the title was decided by long run. I do sincerely apologise to John Hewitt and Tony May for denying them both there moment of glory.
 
If asked how I would personally summarise this shoot, I would say it was excellent. The refereeing, the shooters for assisting with the refereeing, John the range officer who kept the ranges immaculate, all the catering staff and Gordon Lee who made sure that nothing was too much trouble. It's all the ingredients mentioned what make and keep championships in one's mind, and this one will be remembered for a long time, as one of the best!
 
Peter Usher
BSSA Secretary.
22nd June 2009.

Click Here for the full BSSA Championship scores.