Concluding Report of the Third Annual Volunteers Match
The last two days of the Annual Volunteers Match, shot on Thursday and Friday, were reported a week later in the Nottinghamshire Guardian on 14th August 1863. The report was on the front page of a free supplement. This also covered the third annual Prize Meeting of the Yorkshire Rifle Association which had been held on the Wednesday and Thursday at Strensall Common, seven miles outside York. That Meeting was reported as having a prize pot of about £450 and having attracted some 1,100 entries.
The third day was blighted by more poor weather. The Yeomanry competition started at 9 am and a tie shoot was required to settle the winner and second place.
There followed the All Comers' competition shot at 600 and 800 yards (presumably from the kneeling position). The report here seems to be confused as it refers to the great interest owing to the presence of Colonel Halford of the 1st Leicester who had distinguished himself at Wimbledon and was in the English Eight team. There were also competitors from Staffordshire and Lincolnshire. However, the prize list does not include Colonel Halford, who actually won the second All Comers' prize at 800 and 900 yards. The prize at 600 and 800 yards went to Mr. Brownsword of the 5th (Park) Company Robin Hood Rifles. The weather still seems to have been miserable at this stage.
The Association Prize shot at 200 and 500 yards produced a three way tie which was settled by a sudden death shoot-off which was won by Colour-Sergeant Simkins, who has appeared in earlier reports.
The second All Comers' competition at 800 and 900 yards followed and the emphatic winner was Colonel Halford who had four bull's eyes and a centre at both ranges, dropping but two points out of 40. If the weather had not improved, and there is no mention of this, then the score is quite remarkable.
The sweep shoot for Colonel Hadden's Whitworth rile had insufficient entries and was called off. Shooting recommenced on the Friday with the Bronze Medal of the National Rifle Association and entry to the Wimbledon competition with the Nottinghamshire Rifle Association sponsorship of expenses. The two highest scores were made by members of No.1 (Castle) Company and Colour–Sergeant Simkins lost by a centre to a bull's eye to Mr. A. Brewster.
THIRD DAY, THURSDAY.
This morning was one of the most unfavourable that could well be for steady and accurate shooting. It rained incessantly, with a strong wind, and occasional lulls, which tended to unsettle the aim. At nine o'clock precisely the Yeomanry went to the Butts. The shooting this year is about the same as last. Twenty three points which Mr. Terry made, winning the first prize is the same score that took away the first prize last year. Mr. Fritchley, who also made 23 points, shot off the ties and missed leaving the victory to Mr. Terry, who had made a centre. Sergeant Wilson and Mr. Dodson made 22 and shot off for second prize, which was won by the former, who made an outer to the latter's miss. We were pleased to see several of the Sherwood Rangers in the list of competitors. Some unpleasantness was created in 1861 when members of the Sherwood Rangers Cavalry who had come to compete with their own ammunition, and declined to fire with Government ammunition, were disqualified. 0n this occasion they conformed to the regulations fully and made creditable scores, although they failed to bear away the prize.
No. X. All Comers. Five shots each, at 600 and 800 yards. 1st prize, £10; 2nd, £5. Entrance. 5s. A good deal of interest was manifested in the result of this shooting, as Colonel Halford, of the 1st Leicester, one of the crack shots at Wimbledon, and the winner last year and this, of several prizes, and one of the English eight who competed with the Scotch eight recently, was entered amongst the competitors. Mr. Turner, Civil Service Corps, formerly colonel of the Leicester corps, was also an entrant, and there were also competitors from Staffordshire, Lincolnshire, and from the Nottinghamshire Administrative Battalion.
From the above (results table) it will be perceived that Mr. Brownsword, A generally reliable shot at long ranges, took the 1st prize, Having scored 24, thus adding another to the laurels won by the 5th (Park) Company R. H. R.. Mr. H. A. Goodyer, 3rd (Forest) R.H.R., a steady marksman, made 23 points and took second prize. Mr. Johnson, quite a young man, a member of the Staffordshire corps, and Private Bass, of No. 1 (Castle) Company, R. H. R., made each 22 points and tied for third place - a mere honorary distinction without a prize attached. The miserable weather may fairly be stated to have taken off at least two or three points from the scores made.
The greatest interest of the day centered in the competition for the association prize at 200 and 500 yards. 1st prize, £10; 2nd prize, £5. Col-Sergt. Simkins, Dr. Wilson, and Mr. Lambert tied, having each made 30. In shooting off at the 500 yards range Mr. Simkins made a centre and his competitors outers. Dr. Wilson and Mr. Lambert shot off for the second prize, when the latter made an outer, and the former having made a centre, bore away the prize much to the satisfaction of his numerous friends.
No. XI. All Comers. Five shots each, at 800 and 900 yards. 1st. prize, £10; second prize, £5. Entrance, 5s.
Colonel Halford's score was really superb. It might be equalled but could scarcely be surpassed. At the 800 yards range he made four bull's eyes and a centre; and a similar score at 900 yards, making in all 38 points. The highest score that could be made was 40. Colonel Halford's success was well won; and he was warmly congratulated by those who had entered into competition with him.
The sweep for Captain Hadden's thirty guinea Whitworth rifle did not come off. The conditions required forty Subscribers at ten shillings each, the proceeds to be devoted to the improvement of the butts.
Today, the contest was drawn to a close, amid an interval of fair, warm, but gusty weather. The shooting was resumed at nine o'clock for the Bronze Medal of the Association, with the privilege of going to Wimbledon, to compete for the National Prize; the Notts. Association paying £10 towards expenses. The scores made were excellent, and, as will be perceived from the subjoined, the two highest were by Colour–Sergeant Simkins and Mr. A. Brewster, both of No. 1 (Castle) Company. The ties were shot off at 600 yards, when Mr. Brewster having made a bull's eye, and Colour–Sergeant Simkins a centre, the former was proclaimed the fortunate winner of the blue riband of the meeting.
Transcript from Nottinghamshire Guardian free supplement Friday 14/08/1863 p1
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