The McKinnon Cup and Local Prizewinners
After the end of the official Bisley Meeting, a most unusual circumstance was reported. The conduct of the McKinnon Cup, shot on the 18th July, had lead to some dissatisfaction amongst the teams who had misunderstood the rules relating to the time limit (70 minutes) within which each range of the match was to be completed, and who had retired after 900 yards. The winners on the day had been declared as Australia. The Australian captain, being aware of the situation, very sportingly offered to shoot the match again in its entirety. The offer was accepted by all and the rematch occurred after the Meeting on July 28th.
After making a good start, Australia were lying second to Canada after 800 yards; but subsequently it appears they fell foul of the time limit at the final range and were unable to send their last 17 shots down the range. The winners were Canada with 1,358, with England 18 points behind in second place. The Australians came last; but were cheered for their having so generously agreed to the repeat match.
At the end of the report were listed winners of prizes from the East Midlands. Quartermaster-Sergeant Comery of 1st. Notts (Robin Hood Rifles) had done very well in the Grand and Volunteer Aggregates.
Nottingham Evening Post, Monday, 28th July 1902
THE AGGREGATES AND THE MACKINNON CUP
Bisley Camp, Monday Morning.
The weather this morning is beautifully fresh and fine, and those who had waited to see the contest for the McKinnon Cup between teams representing Great Britain and the Colonies must enjoy the period of repose after the noise and bustle of the past week. It may be remembered that on the 18th inst. the cup was shot for, but in consequence of a misunderstanding as to the enforcement of the time limit (70 minutes) two of the teams retired at 900 yards. The other teams went on shooting, and eventually Australia won with an aggregate of 329 (sic.). The cup was duly awarded to the team, but, knowing there was a feeling of dissatisfaction about the matter, Colonel Davis, the Australian captain, spontaneously came forward and offered to shoot the match over again on the same conditions. The offer was at once accepted in the spirit in which it was made, and consequently the reshooting is taking place this morning.
11 a.m.
The seven teams representing Australia, New Zealand, Canada, England, Scotland, Natal and Southern Rhodesia, got promptly to work. The light was very troublesome, but the wind fairly steady, and the averages of scoring good. Natal was the first to finish, and at the close of the 800 yards the totals were:– Canada 518, Australia 504, New Zealand 502, Natal 498, England 498, Rhodesia 480, Scotland 478. The teams have now gone back to 900 yards.
The following are the team aggregates:–
| Canada | 1,358 |
| England | 1,340 |
| Scotland | 1,311 |
| New Zealand | 1,280 |
| Southern Rhodesia | 1,268 |
| Natal | 1,233 |
| Australia | 1,177 |
| with 17 shots to go. | |
Had the remaining shots which the Australians were unable to send to the target, been all bulls they would still have failed to take the cup.
Mr. A.P. Humphrey, a member of the council, in the unavoidable absence of Sir Henry Fletcher. presented the cup to Colonel Burland, the commandant of the Canadian team, and in doing so complimented the winners. He also alluded, amidst approving cheers, to the splendid sportsmanlike spirit shown by the Australians competing again under exceptional circumstances. Colonel Burland returned thanks.
Mr. Humphrey than added a few words as to the successes of the colonials at the present meeting. The brief but interesting ceremony closed with hearty cheers for the Australians, and for the winning team.
GRAND AGGREGATE, made up of scores in the King's 1st stage, St. George's 1st stage, Alexandra, "Daily Telegraph", and "Graphic".
N.R.A. Bronze Cross and £2 - Quartermaster-Sergeant Comery, 1st Notts 313
N.R.A. Bronze medal and £2 - Lance-Sergeant Ried, 1st Leicester 312
£2 - Lieut. Miller, 1st Derby 310
VOLUNTEER AGGREGATE, made up of scores in the Martin's Cup, the King's 1st stage, and the St. George's 1st stage.
£3 - Lance-Sergeant Ried, 1st Leicester 190
£2 - Quartermaster-Sergeant Comery, 1st Notts 188
ALL COMERS AGGRGATE, made up of scores in the Alexandra, "Daily Graphic", "Daily Telegraph", and "Graphic".
£2 - Mr. W. Jaffray, Matlock R.C. 158
Transcript from Nottingham Evening Post 28/07/1902
British Library Newspaper Archive