Field and Stream

Dorset shooters return to France

DORCHESTER shooters travelled to Bayeux last month for the 25th set of rifle and pistol competitions between the shooting clubs of the twin towns.

The team from Dorchester Rifle and Pistol Club featured three members (Richard Burden, David Carter, and Ian Davison) who made the initial journey in 1986.

The Bayeux shooters have a fine reputation for the standard of their ten-metre air pistol shooting. Over the course of 30 shots for each shooter, which offered a maximum 300 points, Jean-Jacques Durand (275) and Michel Huart (272) led the home team to victory by 1328 to 1233. Nevertheless, Dorchester's Gill Carter returned the third highest score on the range with 270.

A close competition unfolded in the Black Powder pistol contest; at 25 metres using replica historic arms similar to those used by highwaymen or for duelling. Shooters measure their own powder and load the lead ball between each shot and, because of the variation this brings, they are allowed 13 shots with the best ten to count for the match. Michel Huart (92) and Fabrice Goulet (89) were top scorers for the winning Bayeux team (441) with Ian Davison (88) scoring highest towards Dorchester's total of 390.

The Police Pistol competition was shot against the clock on the advancing terrorist target with American style cartridge pistols that are not available in Britain. Serge Dufay of Bayeux scored 192 out of 216, leading the way from Steve Maros (189) and Ian Davison (185) of Dorchester, securing a home win by 850 to 837.

The rifle competition involves each of the five shooters in the teams having 40 shots; 20 at 50 metres and 20 at 100 metres. The conditions on the range in the old sandpit at St Martin, on the east side of Bayeux, are never easy. This year the fluctuating light and unpredictable swirling wind did not favour the home team. All the Dorchester team scored higher than any of the Bayeux shooters, even though their youngest shooter, Julia Huart, scored a creditable 373 out of 400. Dorchester totalled 932 against Bayeux's 877 at 50m while at 100m Dorchester increased their lead with 966 to 944 to win with 1898 to 1821. Ian Davison (387) and Richard Burden (382) were top scorers.

The Dorchester team were entertained with typical French generosity in the homes of Bayeux club members in addition to being treated to two splendid evenings in restaurants and lunches at the renovated Bayeux clubhouse. Both teams also managed to fit in a visit to the newly revamped Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy.

Fishing Notes

A turnout of 14 anglers took part on Gillingham AA's first evening match of the season at Lodden Lakes last week. Rob Randall (Garbolino Blackmore Vale) won with 30lb from peg 25. He caught a carp, two tench and some bream on the pole-fished worm, caster and micro-pellet. Andrew Eagle (Haines Angling) was second with a 26lb 12lb net of skimmers from peg 33. Simon Hebditch (Garbolino Blackmore Vale) and Gary O'Shea (PI Thatchers) were joint third with 24lb. The series of matches runs every Wednesday in July.

Thirty Gillingham anglers fished the third leg of the club's Summer Championship at Avalon Fishery in Westhay last Sunday. Jason Mills (Garbolino Blackmore Vale) won with 64lb 1oz. He caught caught fish to 8lb on the waggler-fished pellet and on the method feeder. Second was John Moody (Spro Dorset Raiders) who caught on the feeder and waggler to weigh-in 53lb 6oz. Malc Walters (Gillingham AA) took third place with 47lb 1oz. Others: 4 Dave Sealy (Gillingham AA) 41lb 10oz, 5 Joe Miller (Gillingham AA) 39lb 10oz, 6 Mike Trevis (Gillingham AA) 38lb 3oz. The next match is at Viaduct Fishery on Somerton on Sunday 25th July. Book with Dave Sealy on 01747 823159.

Stalbridge Angling Society fished round two of their Summer League at Coking Farm Fishery last Sunday. Trev Crocker won with 117lb 2oz of carp. Second was Rich Fripp with a level 101lb - his winnings will probably go towards his broken tip rod and landing net, when his first fish of the day (a double-figure carp) escaped. Tony Cairns made up the frame finishing third with 47lb 3oz. Round three is at Coking Farm's Meadow Lake on Sunday 25th July and will also be the club's pairs match.

Sturminster and Hinton Angling Association has its first junior match this Saturday. It will be fished at Steart, opposite the Bull Tavern. The draw is at 9am with fishing from 9.30am to noon. Book with Ashley Burt on 01258 471154.

Mill Street Social Club from Wincanton had a great day's fishing at Higher Farm Fishery at Shepton Montague earlier this month. There was a barbecue and a match, which was won by top lady Renate Cann who weighed-in 38lb 5oz. Second in the ladies' class was Marilyn March with 22lb and Sharon March was third with 17lb 5oz. Jeff Cann won the men's section with 33lb 4oz, Gerald Phillips took second place with 25lb 6oz and Tony Leach's 16lb was enough for third. Winning junior was Kyle Cochrane with 13lb 6oz, Kelvin Coleman was runner-up with 7lb 8oz and third placed Blake Whitmarsh weighed-in 3lb 8oz.

The hot, bright weather kept the fish to deep water and shady spots at Flowers Farm Trout Lakes last week. Anglers did best in the evenings, using dry Daddy Longlegs, Buzzers and spent Blue Damsels. Mike Swinden caught a good bag of fish on small black patterns. Rob Cavin from Child Okeford won the best fish of the month badge for June with a 7lb 8oz rainbow trout.

Catch of the Month competition

Your catch could win you a £15 prize from Stalbridge bait specialists CC Moore and Co. A winner will be selected each month and you don't have to catch a monster to win. Individual specimens, large multi-fish hauls and unusual catches can all be entered, as well as top catches made by youngsters. Just email or post details and a photo of your catch - sea, game or coarse - to the address below.

Shoot us a line

We are always keen to hear about your days in the field, please send shooting and fishing reports, pictures, club info, diary dates, recipes and details of catches to mmanning@bvmedia.co.uk Alternatively, post them to Field and Stream, Blackmore Vale Media, High Street, Stalbridge, Dorset, DT10 2LH or fax 01963 364029, by midday Monday for inclusion in that week's magazine.

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