Nottinghamshire Rifle Association

Nottingham Evening Post, Tuesday, 15th July 1902

THE BISLEY MEETING
THE HUMPHREY CUP
SCARCITY OF MARKERS

Camp, Tuesday.
There is a refreshing lowering of the temperatures this morning, and the pleasant breeze which, although the competitors may not think too much of it, is highly appreciated by dwellers in camp, who are not required to test their skill at the targets. At eight o'clock the thermometer recorded 68 degrees, and fine weather is still predicted as probable, with light and variable breezes. The barometer has moved very slightly.

A matter which is causing the executive considerable anxiety is the scarcity of markers, and it is feared that some of the minor events which figure on to-day's programme may suffer by delay in consequence. The First Army Corps at Aldershot have not yet been able to supply all the men who are required, and although a fresh detachment arrived during the night, there is still a considerable shortage. Every effort, however, is being made to ensure the necessary number of markers and register-keepers before the busy time arrives, and it is hoped that all will be satisfactorily arranged for the prompt carrying out of the programme.

The two principal events down for decision to-day are the Humphrey Cup and the Halford Memorial. The former is open to one team of four members from the corps of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge respectively. Fifteen shots with match rifles are allowed at each distance of 800, 900, and 1,000 yards, and there is a time limit of one hour at each range. The competitors must not be more than four years standing from the date of his first coming into residence at his university. Last year Oxford won with an aggregate of 790 out of a possible 900. The prize consists of a challenge cup given by Mr. A. P. Humphrey in 1881. The Halford Memorial Challenge Cup is a competition in commemoration of the late Sir Henry Halford, who took a very keen interest in match rifle shooting, and was himself a grand shot. Fifteen rounds are allowed at each distance of 900 and 1,000 yards, and there are 15 prizes, the first consisting of the challenge cup and £15. Last year the winner was Captain Mayne, of the Army Rifle Association with 137 points out of a possible 150.

A remarkably fine bit of shooting was shown yesterday by Colour-Sergeant Borain, of the Durham Light Infantry, attached to the Natal Field Force. Firing in the Golden Penny series at 500 yards, he made eight bull's eyes (the highest possible score) and then in accordance with the regulations went on shooting until he failed to get on the "eye", which was not until he had made altogether 22 bulls in succession. Sergeant-Instructor Wallingford, of the Hythe School of Musketry, also made an excellent performance in the Association Cup with the service rifle, putting on 39 out of 40 at 200 yards, and an exactly similar total at 600 yards in the same competition. It should be explained that the bull's eye in this competition is reduced in size.

Morning gunfire to-day sounded at ten minutes to nine, and shortly afterwards the Inter-University match began, under very favourable weather conditions, there being a good light, and the breeze was not sufficient to interfere with the marksmen. A very fine score was made by Mr. F.E. Bray for Cambridge, who only dropped one point in his 15 shots, the last one unfortunately just missing the bull and going into the inner circle. Oxford, at the conclusion of the range, led by five points, the total being 277 to Cambridge's 272. The following are the details:–

OXFORD
Mr. C.J. Salkeld Green (Balliol)	71
Mr. E.A. Jermyn (Worcester)	71
Mr. J.R. Little (New College)	69
Mr. G.S. Pardoe (University College)	66
Total	277
CAMBRIDGE
Mr. F.E. Bray (Trinity)	74
Mr. L.E. Hibbard (Trinity)	69
Mr. Howard Wright (Trinity)	67
Mr. W.A. Radice (Christ College)	62
Total	272

The competitors have now retired to 900 yards.

Camp, Noon.
At 900 yards range Oxford increased the lead to 536 as against Cambridge 491. The scores at this distance were as follows:–

OXFORD
Green	66
Little	66
Jermyn	66
Pardoe	61
Total	259
CAMBRIDGE
Wright	69
Bray	66
Hibbard	51
Radice	33
Total	219

The 1,000 yards range is now being fired.

UNLIMITED SERIES.

In the unlimited series the best scores recorded this morning are:–

FRY Service Rifle (200 yards, seven shots)
Sergeant W. Gore, Bedford School 35

DOYLE (open to pairs of competitors, all comers, seven shots for each).
Mr. H. Whitehead, Bury 33
Mr. P.K. Whitehead, Bury 34, Total 67
Major Gibbs, Bristol 33
Lieutenant-Colonel Hopton, H.L.I. 31, Total 64

KANDOO M.R. (900 yards, 10 shots)
Mr. T. Edge, 4th Notts 49
Mr. Colin M. Black, Edinburgh 49
Mr. F.K. Whitehead, Bury 48

GOLDEN PENNY S.R. (500 yards, eight shots)
Sergeant H.J. Ward, 4th Devon 36

ALLSOP S.R. (200 yards, eight shots)
Lord Deerhurst, 2nd Worcester 38
Private Bennett, Canada 36
Trooper L.R. Clarence 36

 

Camp 12.15 p.m.
Oxford have again won the Humphrey Challenge Cup, this year with an aggregate of 735, as against 692 made by Cambridge, at the 1,000 yards range. The individual totals were as follows:–

OXFORD
Green	45
Little	56
Jermyn	52
Pardoe	46
Total	199
CAMBRIDGE
Wright	45
Bray	59
Hubbard	47
Radice	50
Total	201

The weather is still very fine, and promises well for the afternoon's competitions.

 

Bisley Camp, 1.10 p.m.
The Humphrey Cup has again been won by Oxford. They made to-day 199 at 1,000yds., finishing with an aggregate of 735, while Cambridge, with 201 at this range, finished with an aggregate of 692. The weather is now all that can be desired. After luncheon the principal competition is for the Halford Memorial, 15 shootings at 900 and 1,000 yards.

 

Camp, 4 p.m.
Shortly before three o'clock shooting commenced at the 900 yards in the Halford Memorial Challenge Cup. At this time the conditions prevailing in the morning ruled, the wind being perhaps a trifle more unsteady, blowing fitfully right to the left. Scoring at the start was not high, there being signalled a good many "magpies" and outers. Major Gibbs, of Bristol, who made such a fine performance in the Waldegrave yesterday, was an exception to the rule, dropping two points on his fifth shot, his previous rounds being all bulls, while Major Freemantle, of Bucks, had a run of bulls and inners. The entries for this competition number 65.

The following are additional high scores in the unlimited entry competitions

skilled shots, sporting rifle competition, 500 yards:–
Sergeant-Major McArthur, 2nd London Rifle Club	39
ALLSOP (S.R.) (200 yards).
Quartermaster-Sergeant Frazer, 1st Banff	40
Sergeant Proctor, 1st Elgin	39
COMMON (S.R.) (1,000 yards)
Captain Hardy, Queen's	39
WANTAGE (S.R.) (200 yards, rapid firing, disappearing target)
Captain Murray Smith, Natal	22
STEWARD (S.R.) (200 yards)(standing, sitting, or kneeling)
Captain Murray Smith, Natal	35
(Highest Possible)

At the close of the Halford Competition at 900 yards, the following were the leading scores:– Major Gibbs (Bristol), Lieutenant-Colonel Lamb (South Lancashire), and Mr. E.J. Rigby (I.R.A.) made 70 each. Gibbs was credited with only 69, but he challenged his last shot, and an inner was substituted for a magpie.

 

YESTERDAY'S LOCAL SCORES

The following are local scores in the Waldegrave competition:–

Winner of £3	800	900	Tl.
A.G. Strutt, Derby I.Y.	46	47	93
Lieut.-Colonel Bulpitt, 2nd Derby	45	44	89
Major T.L.K. Edge, 4th Notts	42	36	78
Lieut.-Colonel Mellish, 4th Notts	36	34	70