Australia win their first Australia Match (since the previously called Empire
Match had a name change)
A wet 1000 yards that was interrupted 3 times for heavy rain, closely fought
between Australia & GB, ended in twilight with both teams level on 1977
points. Decided on V-Bulls, the match went to Australia with 217 V's beating
GB's 203 V's. New Zealand were 3rd with 1949.158.
Both teams equalled the record score and bettered the V-count (previously 166)
showing the quality of the shooting despite the conditions!
Result of Australia Match
1. Australia 1977.217 (top score Tim Berry 200.22)
2. Great Britain 1977.203 (top score Nigel Ball 200.24)
3. New Zealand 1949.158 (top score R Fincham 200.16)
Junior Australia Match
1. Australia 976.81 (top score Evan Jones 199.18)
2. Great Britain 973.89 (top score Susie Kent 198.16)
The following is an Australian's eyewitness report:
Australia won both the open & under 25 Australia Matches today.
In the under 25s it was a clear victory (for Australia) from the Great Britain
youngsters, but the senior match was one of those that you talk about around
warm bar room tables in your dotage.
Conditions started poorly & didn't improve during the day. It wasn't the wind
that was the issue, rather the showers that waxed & waned. I can guarantee that
there isn't a dry piece of gear in the house & more than a little is totally
soaked. More than one bystander commented on the high-tech Marks & Sparks bag
that rendered valuable service to one Brit shooter in the conditions.
At the halfway mark, Australia held a 2 point lead from the Brits, with the
Kiwis lagging a tad. This changed after 900, when the Brits took a single point
advantage, which they held & built on throughout the 1000 yard match, which
included 3 rain stoppages until only two Brits remained to shoot both on the
same target, the rest of the seniors having done their best. It remains to be
seen how that situation came about, but in any case, at that time they held a
healthy 6 point lead.
Four points went by the wayside with the last but one shooter, due to the
waning light as much as anything else, leaving it to John Pugsley to bring it
home. His gritty & under the circumstances meritorious 48 tied the scores, but
left the visitors a couple of fistful of Vs in arrears, giving the Aussies a
get-out-of-gaol (for you, Laurie) victory.
I'm sure in another circumstance, I might have recorded a score or two for the
list. As it was, I was preoccupied keeping the score board up to date, a duty
which I can assure you tends to numb the senses & deaden initiative in such
inclement conditions.
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Last update to the website: 29th June 2005 10.30 am (GMT)
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Results - Full scorecards.
Photos from the tour
