The 2013 Mercia Match

The 2013 Mercia Match was held at Northamptonshire's Sywell Shooting Ground situated between Kettering and Northampton. The course of fire was 20 shots at 50 yards, 50 metres and 100 yards, with the best ten scores to count from each team. The spacious range was set out with 15 lanes at each distance marked out with plenty of wind flags. A refreshment bar with cafe seating and a room set aside for equipment set-up added to the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The occasion was an opportunity to meet again many old shooting friends and make new ones. All counties except Leicestershire & Rutland fielded teams. The Match was shot in a variable wind and warm conditions on June 16th with details squadded half hourly from 9am to 4pm. Those squadded at 100 yards in the late afternoon with a more settled wind enjoyed better conditions than those shooting earlier in the day. The unfortunate clash of date with the Inter-Counties Rifle Meeting at Bisley undoubtedly reduced the competing power of some of the teams.

Derbyshire was the only county to have a full team of 15 with its best 10 to count. Lincolnshire had 13; but also fielded a Ladies team of 3 and a Juniors team of 2 in consequence of which they took these honours unopposed. Nottinghamshire and Northamptonshire both had teams of 10 with all to count. The final scores out of 6000 were as follows:

Scenes From The Match