Month: February 2024

Medals from British Open Airgun Championships

by RichHin Competitions

Rugeley shooters claimed a pair of medals at the NSRA British Open Airgun Championships this weekend. For the Open Championship, athletes shoot an Olympic course – a 60-shot qualification match, with the top-8 progressing to a final. Competitors also shoot a seocnd qualification course which is aggregated with their first score for the Class Aggregate,

Shooting in the Women’s Air Rifle, Megan Bamsey placed fourth in qualification, improving in the final to take the bronze medal – her first senior medal. In her second match for the Aggregate, Megan set a new PB of 616.4.

In the Men’s Air Pistol, Paul Watkiss narrowly missed a spot in the final, finishing 9th. He collected a consolation prize with an excellent second shoot to take silver in the A-Class aggregate.

In the Junior Women’s Air Rifle, Olivia Beech qualified for her final in third place, and also improved to win the silver medal. Izzy Ward finished 13th in the same event.

Pippa Watterson finished 10th in the Junior Women’s Air Pistol, and Abbigael Beech placed 20th in the Sporter Air Rifle.

A row of computer monitors on a bench at the firing point of a 10metre airgun range
Three smiling women stand on a podium. The athlete in the centre holds a trophy.
Megan Bamsey (right) wins bronze – Women’s Air Rifle
Three young women stand smiling with target air rifles on a finals range.
Megan Bamsey (left) wins bronze – Women’s Air Rifle
A man aims a target air pistol at the British Open Airgun Championships.

Gold for Abbigael at Schools Air Championship

by RichHin Competitions1 Comment on Gold for Abbigael at Schools Air Championship

Rugeley member Abbigael Beech took Gold at the British Shooting Schools Rifle & Pistol Championships this week, winning the Junior 6yd Air Rifle event. The 6yd event is shot with “Sporter” air rifles which are lighter than full precision air rifles, and does not allow special shooting jackets or trousers.

The Championships took place over the 6th and 7th of February at Cannock Leisure Centre, and were supported by volunteers from Rugeley Rifle Club.

A sports hall built of red brick is configured for target shooting. Electronic targets for air rifles and air pistols are visible in the background. In the foreground, a blue banner identifies the event as the British Shooting Schools Rifle and Pistol Championships.
Young people shoot air pistols during a practice session at the British Shooting Schools Rifle & Pistol Championships. The range is located in a brick sports hall set up for the event. Electronic targets are visible in the background with monitors on tables at the firing point.

Final for Paul at British Shooting Air Series

by RichHin Competitions

Paul Watkiss had a stand-up weekend, finishing fourth in the open Air Pistol event at the third installment of British Shooting’s Air Series at Aldersley, near Wolverhampton.

Shooting on Saturday, Paul managed 561, topping Relay 2. On Sunday morning he improved on that with a 562 in Relay 4. Both these scores were good enough to qualify Paul for the 8-athlete final. Starting with a wobble he placed 6th after the first string. Regrouping however, he climbed to fifth after the second string and fourth after his 12th shot. Further steady shooting saw him climb in to bronze medal position, but a robust response from Charlotte Hicks over her last four shots saw her climb past Paul and Ayush Chauhan into silver medal position, pushing Ayush in Bronze and Paul just out the medals.

In the Air Rifle, Bill Clark, Izzy Ward and Nathan Clark all put in strong performances. Bill managed third and 5th in his two relays, Izzy placed 5th and 3rd, whilst Nathan placed 6th in his relay. Their best results put Bill 13th overall, Izzy 15th and Nathan 19th. Congratulations to all.

A man aims a target air pistol with his right arm. He is wearing a blue t-shirt with "Rugeley Rifle Club" printed on the back.
Paul Watkiss on aim in the Air Pistol Final at the British Shooting Air Series.