BSSA 2009 European Open Skeet Championship.
 
This championship had a buzz about it from the moment the squading list went live online. After one text message, the shoot was full to the brim in thirty six hours.
 
Friday morning saw the first arrivals, anticipation was everywhere. The doubles was the first to be shot and with a tricky gusting wind from the East, made life very interesting.
Nick Coupe with a very credible 99, given the conditions, won the Doubles Championship. Dave Morgan was runner up on 98 after a shoot off with Steven Smith who was AA1. Tony May was A1 and Veteran Champion, Barry Lock won B1, Nigel Hubbard won C1, Brian Gregory D1 and Liz Green was Lady Champion.
 
Day two was 12g followed by the 28g. After a two man shoot off on 100 straight, Peter Bloomfield was 12g Champion with Steven Smith Runner up. Matt Fallon was AA1, Derek Wilson A1, Les Day was B1, Chris Bunney C1, Janet Maguire D1 and Lady Champion, Ryan Maxwell was E1 and Tony May Veteran Champion.
 
By the time the 28g started the conditions were deteriorating fairly fast. Dave Morgan finished 28g Champion and Peter Bloomfield was 28g Runner up. Nick Coupe was AA1, Andrew McNamara was A1, Loll Barr was B1, Chris Bunney C1, Sara Chambers D1 and Lady Champion with Johnny Hewitt (who) Veteran Champion.
 
It was very close for those contesting the championship places in all HOA classes. The final day was 20g followed by the .410. The weather had eased slightly on the Sunday morning but everyone was concerned about the .410 in the afternoon should the wind increase.
 
Dave Morgan was the only 100 straight in the 20g with a host of 99's shooting for runner up. Andrew McNamara emerged 20g Runner Up with Matt Fallon taking AA1, Martyn Fleming A1, Tony May B1 and Veteran Champion, Steve Burrow C1, Rodney Jessup was D1 and Tina Tullett was Lady Champion.
 
The wind did increase slightly making things tricky, but thankfully nothing like it did on the previous day. Nick Coupe was .410 Champion, and Peter Usher Runner UP. Dave Morgan was AA1, Barry Lock A1, Rob Hibbert B1, Loll Barr C1, Les (low 5) Day D1, Liz Green was Lady Champion and Vallance Fraser Veteran Champion.
 
In the HAA Nick Coupe was Champion after shooting of with Dave Morgan who was Runner Up. Peter Bloomfield was AA1, Barry Lock A1 Tony May B1 and veteran Champion, Mike Harris was C1 and Liz Green D1 and Lady Champion.
 
As I said earlier, the HOA and the European Championship title was close.
 
Dave Morgan won the 2009 BSSA European Championship and given his hard work in administering this championship with myself, this was an excellent achievement and very well deserved. Peter Bloomfield Runner Up after a shoot off with Nick Coupe who was AA1, Barry Lock A1, Rob Hibbert B1, Mike Harris C1 Steve Burrow D1, Liz Green was Lady Champion and Tony May veteran Champion.
 
From the BSSA perspective, given the entry and the shoot atmosphere, this European Championship was just a resounding PR success. Likewise, the BSSA AGM held on the Saturday evening. It has been a long time since all the UK NSSA membership sang from the same NSSA hymn sheet; this was fantastic to see and has been a long while coming. The only thing missing was the "Calcutta" and that is now an agenda item for 2010.
 
I personally cannot wait for the 2010 BSSA Championships to arrive. I believe that with the shooter support we have now and with a steady growth in 2010, NSSA in the UK is now firmly back on track. Something we must all carefully protect and work tirelessly for to preserve!
 
Peter Usher
BSSA Secretary
23rd August 2009.

Click Here for the 2009 BSSA European Skeet Championship results.