Uppingham Veterans Rifle Club

Officers 

President –  John Webster (C 70)

Club Captain – Chris Watson (M 92)

Hon Secretary – Briony Buckell (Fd 01)

Hon Treasurer –  James Watson (L 88)

Firearms Secretary – David Mathieson (H 73)

UVRC Match V's the School and Dinner - Sat 9th March 2013

UVRC Annual Report 2011/12

During a week of wet and windy weather at the NRA Imperial Meeting (the British Fullbore Rifle Shooting Championships) OUs achieved outstanding results, winning a dozen individual competitions as well as representing England, Wales and GB in international team matches.

The Public Schools Veterans’ teams match precedes the individual target rifle competitions, with Uppingham Veterans generally managing to field at least three teams. In 2012 the “A” Team equalled its winning score of 249.33 from 2011, but only managed 2^nd place to Old Greshamians, who managed a perfect 250. The “B” and “C” teams also acquitted themselves well with scores of 240.27 and 239.19 to take 7^th and 4^th places in their categories respectively. 

James Watson (L 88) achieved the most outstanding individual performance, placing 4^th in the British Open Target Rifle Championship, 4^th in the Grand Aggregate and qualifying for all of the finals. Gareth Morris (L 89) was not far behind, placing 19^th in the Grand Aggregate but winning the First and Second Stages of Her Majesty the Queen’s Prize by way of compensation. In total OUs picked up 27 podium finishes in competitions, with Ant Ringer (B 79), Chris Belk (WB 51), John Webster (C 70) and Chris Watson (M 91) making up the balance.

It is not unusual for a pair of club-mates to find themselves tie shooting for the top slot in a competition. Having three shooters is far less common but Uppingham Veterans Rifle Club managed it in 2012! In a compelling five-way tie shoot for the Gurka Appeal competition at 300 yards, which went to shot-for-shot sudden death, Chris Watson took the prize, beating elder brother James back into 4^th place and Gareth Morris into 5^th place.

In addition to achieving individual success, the club has a history of members competing at the very highest levels in international team matches. James shot for the winning England teams in the short-range National and long-range Mackinnon matches. Chris Watson and Gareth Morris shot for Wales in the National and Mackinnon matches; and Ant Ringer shot for England in the Mackinnon.

James Watson was picked to shoot for Great Britain in the Kolapore Cup match with Gareth Morris being chosen at the first reserve. With their assistance, GB dropped only a single point to achieve a new match record of 1199.201, also a world record score for the course of fire.

James and Chris Watson toured the USA and Canada with the Great Britain rifle team this past August. On a first visit to Camp Perry and the US national championships, Chris won two individual competitions outright and both James and Chris shot for GB in the main team match, the America Match, narrowly losing to team USA, but beating Canada, Australia and Japan.

Chris continued his individual winning ways at the Canadian National Championships, and again both James and Chris shot for GB in the 2 main matches against the Canadian, US and Australian national teams. GB prevailed in both events (the Canada Match and the Commonwealth Match), including attaining a maximum possible score across the entire team of eight firers of 1200 points in the Canada Match, the first time that this has ever been achieved in international competition.

Eligibility
The Uppingham Veterans Rifle Club is open to any Old Uppinghamian who is a member of the Uppingham Association.  Every year the Club takes part in the Schools Veterans match that is held at the National Shooting Centre, Bisley Camp, Brookwood, Woking, Surrey. The match usually takes place in July on the same day as the Ashburton Schools competition, at 5pm. All are welcome.  Anyone interested in joining the Club or who would like further information can contact the Club Secretary, Briony Buckell on 07787537575 or via email brionyhinson1@gmail.com