Record-breaker Hodge has the other shooters in awe
TEENAGER Sophie Hodge took the limelight – and a table full of silverware – as the Guernsey Rifle Club were finally able to welcome target rifle shooters from the UK for the Annual Summer Prize Meeting after the lifting of Covid restrictions.
With teams from the RAF and the Great Britain Under 19s joined by a few independents, a good local entry swelled the numbers to the maximum possible 45.
The firing points were full to capacity with 15 shooting on each detail and the weather ensured that everything proceeded as planned.
The electronic scoring performed well and for some of the visitors it was the first time they had encountered such a system.
An event such as this gives locals the chance to see how they stack up against top marksmen who are currently or potential international competitors.
Everyone was in awe of the performance of 18-year-old Hodge from the Great Britain Under 19 team. She fired 101 shots and strayed out of the bullseye just once. Along the way to setting a new record of 604.92 ex 605.101 for the meeting she won three individual competitions, all seven of the aggregate trophies and the Grand Aggregate.
It is worth noting that her total of 91 central V-bulls was no less than 17 more than the next best.
Wellington College taught her how to shoot when she was 13 and to date this is her most impressive performance.
Hodge will be returning to the Channel Islands next year as she has been selected for the National Rifle Association touring team.
She did not have it all her own way as Guernsey’s own Alexander Stewart took the Le Maitre at 600 yards with an impressive 75.11 ex 75.15, Mick Silver took the 300 yard Coca-Cola after tying with Hodge and then claiming the tie shoot with a 25.04 to 24.04, Chris Fitzpatrick won the three-range Ex-Serviceman’s and Scott Glanville enjoyed success in the 500 yard Castella.
Stewart led the local challenge in the Grand Aggregate as he finished in fifth spot on 593.73 to claim the Australia Trophy as the top Guernseyman.
Close behind were Rob Waters on 593.66 in sixth place, Ollie Hudson seventh on 591.59 and Rollo Tiffin eighth on 589.61.
Pierre Goubert dominated B class as he took the Tankard, the Perkins Tray, the Sirett Shield and the ‘B’ Grand Aggregate to finish on 580.49 just ahead of James Nippers on 575.54.
Aiden Honey won the T.S.Henry Memorial and James Nippers was rewarded with the Noyon.
The final afternoon saw the three teams competing in a friendly competition with 10 scoring shots at each of the three ranges for a maximum possible score of 1,200.240 and it was the Guernsey Eight who triumphed with a total score of 1,171.127.
The Under 19s were just seven points behind on 1,164.114, while the RAF took third place with 1,159.143.
Ollie Hudson was the top Guernseyman with a magnificent 150.16, the only 150 in the whole weekend, while Hodge, unsurprisingly, was the best of the Under 19s with a 149.21 and Fitzpatrick led the RAF team with a 149.24.
The event concluded with the prize-giving and a barbecue hosted by the GRC.
The electronic target scoring system worked well under the greatest pressure it has ever faced and the GRC can look forward to the Island Games next year secure in the knowledge that the system is tried and tested as thoroughly as possible.
