Hi All

Big thank you to today’s host – Buxted – for setting a challenging course, leading to this year’s equal lowest top score of 56; well done to Roger D and Howard K for achieving that. Oh, and if you’ve forgotten when 56 was last the ‘top’ ….. it was in Round 3 at Buxted. But I think today the wind put in an appearance more than earlier in the year. It certainly needed to be watched more closely/carefully than I gave it due, as it switched direction and strength far more than our lane positions did as we worked our way round the reverse-to-normal pegs at Buxted.

Apart from the wind’s mention above, the weather today was a tad out of kilter with that experienced in the last week – plenty of sun and none of the expected Buxted mud. Doubt our good fortune will see the same when we enter the Southern Hunter Winter season series.

And final thanks too to the catering crew (always especially love my bacon butty at Buxted – reckon it’s the best on our circuit) and to my bestest admin helper – Alicia – for keeping me in check.
Here are the full results:

Firstname Surname Club Class Score % Badge Team place
Roger Dibbens Oaks O 56 100.0% Gold T
Howard Kalisch Buxted O 56 100.0% G T
Kevin Hills Buxted O 55 98.2% G T
Jon Newton-May Buxted O 55 98.2% G T
Charles Peal Oaks O 55 98.2% G T
Ewan Hobbs Visitor O 54 96.4% G
Mark Rackley Oaks V 54 96.4% G T
Mike Burgess Oaks V 53 94.6% G T
Gary Channing Buxted O 53 94.6% G T
Matthew Franks Oaks O 51 91.1% Silver T
Gary Morrison Buxted Sticks 51 91.1% G T
Martin Nicholls Buxted O 51 91.1% S
Daniel Smith Bisley O 51 91.1% S
Dax Browning Meon Valley O 49 87.5% S T
Darryle Bundock Oaks O 49 87.5% S
Nigel Carter Purbeck FTC V 49 87.5% G
Aaron Friend Oaks O 49 87.5% S
Vince Guy Oaks O 49 87.5% S
Richard Wheeler Ford O 49 87.5% S T
Kevin Wickson Buxted O 49 87.5% S
Stefan Avey Oaks O 48 85.7% S
Simon Vant Oaks O 48 85.7% S
Steven Avey Oaks O 47 83.9% S
Barry Johnson Buxted O 47 83.9% S
Tony Johnson Barbarians V 46 82.1% S
Simon Thornton Buxted R 46 82.1% S
Richard Wickenden Ford O 46 82.1% Bronze T
Chris Allen Buxted O 45 80.4% B
Dave Barnes Meon Valley V 45 80.4% S T
Paul Charman Buxted .22 45 80.4% S
Martin Dudley Horsham V 45 80.4% S T
Alicia Franks Oaks L 45 80.4% S
Paul Blaxall Meon Valley V 44 78.6% S T
David Wheeler Ford O 44 78.6% B T
Charley Grey Ford R 43 76.8% S T
David Henderson Meon Valley V 43 76.8% S T
Trevor Hudson Meon Valley Sticks 43 76.8% S T
Grace Ingram Visitor P 43 76.8% G
Carrol Lamport Buxted O 43 76.8% B
Dave Wade HRPC O 43 76.8% B
Mark Goodhew Buxted O 42 75.0% B
Hugborg Hudson Meon Valley L 42 75.0% S
Nathan Ingram Visitor O 42 75.0% B
Steve Saunter Buxted Sticks 42 75.0% S
Steb Martinez Ford O 41 73.2% T
Maryam Shapouri Oaks L 41 73.2% B
Glen Turner Ford O 41 73.2%
Daniel Hudson Meon Valley O 40 71.4%
Barry Wade Buxted V 40 71.4% B
Martin Cook Buxted R 38 67.9% B
Yiorjos Nikiteas Buxted Sticks 38 67.9% B
Roy Pearce MAD V 38 67.9% B
Bruce Ingram Visitor Sticks 37 66.1% B
David Wilshaw Meon Valley R 34 60.7%
Thaddeus Allen Buxted P 24 42.9%

As well as the badges noted above, there were 2 new SIHFT Platinums awarded (for achieving 5 Golds) today. These went to Kev Hills and Charles Peal. And not forgetting (for those of you not present today) the late adjusted Platinum award issued before we kicked off today’s round, to our one-n-only Veteran World Champ – Mark Rackley

All but one club (Horsham) fielded at least a full team of 5 bodies. For Horsham, to top up their 1 person team a trio of cards were drawn at random, as per the SIHFT rules, leading to the following results.

Club Round 8 scores Round 8 points Total scores Total points
Buxted 270 12 2148 90
Oaks 269 11 2221 94
Meon Valley 224 10 1899 79
Ford 223 9 1594 68
Horsham 175 8 1588 71

Today’s lucky draw winners were:
£55 Bonus Bunny – Dan Smith
Air Arms Goody Bag – Aaron Friend

Can you spot any errors in this post? Have I spelt your name correctly? Do I have you down for the correct club/class? – please message me directly if any issues.

As a reminder, the final (competitive) SIHFT Round 9 is in 2 weeks, on Sunday 8th October, when we return to Horsham. Will it be muddy?? Will it snow?? Well, it is late autumn/early winter. And for the person regretting his use – for the 1st time today – of his scope’s illuminated reticule, you may wish to rethink turning it off if my recollection of Horsham’s dark alleys are in play.

What else is happening between now and then ……

Only know to me event is the last of this year’s Summer HFT Open comps at Mile Oak on Sunday 1st October

Have fun and stay safe

Biggles