Solihull School

Clay Pidgeon Shooting

Without the banter from Robert Beaty, the nuggets of wisdom from James Mansfield, the debate as to which choke to use from Mathew Browning and, of course, the bearing of Matthew Gooden, Solihull School Clay Pigeon Shooting Club would have been a dull affair; thanks, chaps.

Robert Beaty has done a fine job of leading our team throughout the year. The first competition of the year, The Heart of England Shoot, was one in which we sharpened our teeth but really nothing more. Success had to wait until February when we entered the West Midlands Shoot. Matthew Gooden shot out of his skin here; indeed, he was our top gun and helped get us into a play-off for the third place trophy. John Wood, Robert Fanner, Matthew Browning, and Rob Beaty helped along the way but it was left to James Mansfield, our most experienced shot, to go head-to-head against a lad from Bromsgrove School. James clinched the trophy for us and I have to admit to being a proud schoolmaster on that day.

So with heads held high Solihull School entered The British Schools’ English Sporting Championships. Teams from all over Britain descended upon the Sporting Targets Shooting Ground, Risley – the Scots in tribal dress. Our team came eighth out of the nineten teams to shoot the ‘A’ course, our highest ever ranking in this event. Before I finish, Robert Beaty would not forgive me if I didn’t mention his performance on one of the stands at the Nationals… Don’t worry, Rob, perhaps I had better get on with those reports.

Mr A Wild