2 May 2004

A record entry and the introduction of a new match saw the most successful of the recent Wapinschaw competitions.  As well as the Aggregate Match of Deliberate, Rapid and Snap at 200yds competitors shot a Deliberate at 300yds to complete a very full day of shooting.

The weather was kind and light was perfect with a thin overcast all day.  This allowed the competition organisers to get through the record number of entries in good order.  No significant delays were suffered and the Aggregate details were completed in good time allowing the new match to be completed and include some late entry competitors.

A strong entry in the muzzle loader classes saw John Braidwood take the small bore Volunteer Class trophy with a very respectable 40, especially considering that this was almost his first outing with his repro Volunteer Enfield rifle.  Closely on his tail was Ken Hodge with a 39, also with a repro Enfield.  Military Class was won by John Anderson again hotly pursued by Peter Buchan with 39.  

Vintage Class saw a small entry with David Squires taking Large bore class with his .577 Snider Enfield and John Anderson taking Small Bore Class with his 1878 Mk III Martini Henry.  

Classic Class had a strong entry dominated by British service rifles and graced with one lonely Swede.  Alistair Oag dominated from the start with a strong 124 and was followed by joint second placing of Jim McCall and David Whyte with 120.

Veteran Class attracted the strongest entry with 17 entries, all but 4 of them with No 4 Lee Enfields.  Alistair Oag led the field by a clear margin finishing 14 points clear with a very good 129.  Following up were the four foreign rifles and another No 4.

The Open Class showed its usual strong entry and was won by Ray Smith shooting a SGC Speedmaster and with a superb 215 ex 250 including one of 3 possibles in the snap.  The new class of Sporting Rifle attracted a small entry and was won in good style by Lindsay Borrie with a strong 201, small magazine size taking its toll on the other Sporting competitors in the Rapid.

The oversubscribed 300yd Match provided some excitement with the old triumphing over the new.  David Whyte shot a superb 49 ex 50 with his Long Lee Enfield beating Alistair Oag with his Hart Shilen target rifle in a hard fought match.

In the Optical Sights Class, Lindsay Borrie was the clear winner shooting 83 ex 100 with his Steyr Scout, a clear margin over Don Robertson with 78

All in all an excellent event and we look forward to more improvements for next year.

The prizes at this year's event were presented by the Lord Lieutenant for Aberdeenshire Mrs Claire Russell which is particularly appropriate as she is the Queen's representative for the area.

Go to Wapinschaw 2004 Results.

Go to my report and results from the Wapinschaw 2003 competition.

Return to my Scottish Competitions Page.

Return to my Classics Page.

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Updated: 23 May 2004