The annual match against London and Middlesex Rifle Association was held at Bisley (it alternates between Bisley and Blair Atholl) over the weekend 7/8 October in glorious sunshine (in marked contrast to the weather in Scotland).
Scotland fielded a team of 16 firers and LMRA 18. The Scotland team included six firers and one coach (Craig Stewart) from Dollar Academy. It was agreed that the top 12 scores would count in each session (AM or PM) on each day. Due to limited availability of targets the match was shot at 600 yards (2 sighters and 10 to count, twice) on Saturday morning and 1000 yards (2 sighters and 10 to count, twice) on Saturday afternoon and then 300 yards and 600 yards (each 2 sighters and 10 to count) on Sunday morning, concluding with 2 sighters and 15 to count at 1000 yards on Sunday afternoon.
Scotland won the match convincingly with a score of 4325 with 426 V bulls (out of a possible 4500.75) with the LMRA team scoring 4207 with 329 V bulls. Top scorer for Scotland was Angus McLeod with 373.41 with the only two points he lost being dropped in the first 3 shots at the first range.
It was pleasing to see many of the Dollar cadets outperform some of the more established shooters who know that they cannot rest on their laurels.
Special mention must be made for our three coaches, Lindsay Peden, Simon Dickson and Craig Stewart, who put in marathon stints to coach the team and whilst the winds were quite benign at short range they were tricky at long range.
Finally, a big thank you to London and Middlesex for its hospitality and for hosting the match.