Waters jumps to top spot while Frost leads B class

The shoot comprised two sighters and 10 scoring shots at each of the three ranges and Rob Waters leapt from sixth to first after a superb score that saw him record 149.22 ex 150.30 for a two-stage total of 250.31 ex 255.51.

First-stage leader Phil Ogier had maintained the defence of his 2020 title with a 50.06 at 300 yards but slipped up at the next two ranges for a 146.18 and a running total of 249.27 in third spot.

Rollo Tiffin managed a 147.16 and kept his runner-up spot on 250.24, but with three marksmen separated by a mere point the third and final stage will be a close fought encounter.

The second stage had been delayed by a week due to severe conditions the previous Saturday, but the marksmen were greeted on this occasion with gentle breezes and sunshine, ideal conditions for precision shooting.

Ogier’s excellent 50.08 at the shorter range was the only ‘possible’ but Waters, Tiffin, Adam Norman and Charlie Brewin were all in close contention on 49s.

In B class Rory McKenna led with a 47.02 with the rapidly-improving Sam Frost in second place on 45.03.

At 500 yards Waters strengthened his hold on the lead with a magnificent 50.08 with further possibles from Jon Branch and Frost on 50.06.

The best performance of the day had to be Frost’s first 10 round possible coming just two weeks after her first seven round possible.

Waters started the final range at 600 yards leading for the Silver Medal on 99.16 just ahead of Ogier on 98.11 and Tiffin 97.10, but the 2019 champion held his nerve and a 50.06 gave him an unassailable score of 149.22 and a championship lead of 250.31.

A 50.06 for Tiffin, just recently promoted to A class, gave him a second stage score of 147.16 and a running total of 250.24 to remain in close contention for the title.

Frost finished her challenge for B class honours with a 48.05 for a second stage score of 143.14 and a grand total lead on 239.26.

She now enjoys a five-point lead over second place holder McKenna on 234.14 and if she continues her meteoric rise up the scoreboard she will soon be looking at a move to A class.

The third and final stage of the championship will be delayed to 4 September as the next event is the three-day Summer Prize Meeting starting early tomorrow morning.