Waters holds steady to stave off prospect Tiffin

The 2019 champion took the title at Fort Le Marchant with a 397.49 ex 405.81, while Rollo Tiffin, following on from his superb results at the Jersey Summer Prize Meeting, took the runner-up spot on 397.45, just four V bulls adrift of the champion.

Waters had amassed 250 points plus 31 V bulls from the first two stages while Tiffin was just 7 V bulls behind on 250.24.

The third and final stage of the Guernsey Rifle Club Championship comprised two sighters and 15 shots to count at 500 and 600 yards for a total of 150.30. It was always going to be a nailbiter and it certainly lived up to expectations.

Nor was it going to be a two-horse race. Multi-championship winner Phil Ogier was in third place on 249.27 and any slip-ups from the two leaders was likely to be punished.

While coastal mist patches always threatened visibility the weather was conducive to good scores and the marksmen did not disappoint, saving their finest efforts for the last shoot at 600 yards.

At the shorter range Waters lost two shots for a 73.08 ex 75.15 while Ogier managed a 73.06 to overhaul Tiffin, who slipped up with a 72.07.

GRC president Peter Jory, arguably the most experienced man on the range, shot an excellent 75.10, but a lowly 142.10 in the second stage had left him with little chance to catch the leaders who were six shots ahead.

Sam Frost continued her rise up the rankings with a 72.02 to cement her lead in the competition for ‘B’ Class shooters; the only challenger with any real chance of catching her was Rory McKenna but his 70.06 allowed Frost to increase her lead to a very comfortable seven points.

Up on the hill at 600 yards the onlookers were treated to a real display of marksmanship, made all the more enjoyable by watching the event unfold in real time on iPhones and iPads thanks to the electronic target scoring system.

Waters lost a point as a shot strayed into the inner, but Tiffin was shooting extremely calmly and at that point was tied with the leader but just behind on V bulls.

Both marksmen remained totally focused and Tiffin recorded a magnificent 75.14 for a stage total of 147.21 and a final score of 397.45.

Waters maintained his form and a 74.10 gave him a 147.18, just enough to claim the title on 397.49 while Ogier held on to his third place with 396.39.

GRC captain Nick Kerins managed the only other possible as his 75.07 gave him fourth spot on 394.39.

‘B’ Class leader Frost showed real determination as she faced her final shoot knowing that while there was little chance of anyone catching her she could still slip up.

A near faultless 74.06 gave her a grand total of 385.34 and clinched the class championship ahead of McKenna on 373.25.

This young woman has shown immense talent during the season and her focused approach has seen her emerge as a force to be reckoned with.

As for Tiffin, he may have lost the main championship by a tiny margin but his final stage total of 147.21 was enough to gain him the Jory Bowl for the highest third stage score, just a single V bull ahead of Alexander Stewart.

The season will close next weekend with a coaching event designed to give some of the newer shooters experience of the very different demands of team shooting.