Click Here to view the full 2008 UK Open results.

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Dartford CSC was the venue for the 2008 BSSA UK Open Skeet Championship over the May bank holiday 24th – 26th May 2008. For what the shoot lacked in numbers was certainly made up with the great clubhouse atmosphere preceding and during this championship.
 
Day one was the Doubles event. This event was always going to be difficult with the wind blowing up the Thames from the low house. Both Nick Coupe and Nick Marsden shot 98's. It was game on for the shoot off, and it was not a disappointing shoot off either. Nick Marsden emerged the 2008 Doubles Champion having shot his way through some very difficult doubles.
 
Sunday morning started with howling winds and torrential rain. Everyone was nervous thinking what could happen. The wind eased and the rain slowed and the first squads hit the pads with the big gauge. By the end of the first flight although still very windy, the sun was shining and it was just a gorgeous day. Two one hundred straights concluded the shooting, Nick Marsden and Andrew McNamara. Nick was the victor and showed his consistency by winning his second Championship of this event.
 
The afternoon was the 28 gauge, and although the wind picked up the targets seemed fairly consistent. Having missed one with the 12, Craig blistered 100 straight with the 28, clearly showing he was not out of the frame. Derek Wilson was the only other 100 straight. Craig won the shoot off and is the 28 gauge champion.
 
Most of the entrants who stayed in the Dartford area were woken at around 4am Monday morning by the howling wind and rain. The trepidation on the shooters faces in the clubhouse was a picture as this gale battered the ground. Most deliberated, some departed, the remaining just gritted their teeth and went for it.
 
The 20g was first up, with Lakey showing his brilliant skill and metal by posting a 99. Peter Bloomfield carrying a bad shoulder injury went very close with a 98, and that's how the 20g finished. Given the conditions both these scores equate to 110 ex 100.
 
With the .410 looming more pulled out. Craig showed his metal and huge talent, shooting on range three he obliterated 99 targets. This performance was nothing short of awesome, legendry even.
He won this gauge by six clear targets giving him a 397 and the 2008 UK Open Championship in what I would describe as the worst weather conditions I have encountered in 20 + years of shooting.
 
Both I and my fellow BSSA custodians would like to say a huge thank you to Peter, Gordon and all the Dartford staff for what I can only describe as "first class hospitality and 100% commitment" .
We all very much appreciate your efforts
 
Peter Usher
BSSA secretary

Click Here to view the full 2008 UK Open results.

Click here to view the UK Open picture gallery.

Click Here to view all the BSSA 2008 Championships.