Eleven OLs attended the 141^st NRA Schools Meeting Ashburton Shield Veterans competition at Bisley on 15th July 2010.  The match took place in weather conditions of light cloud and fairly strong variable cross winds.  Two full “A” and “B” teams of five OLs each were entered (10 shots to count at 500 yards) according to probable ability, with the following results: the “A” team came 27^th out of 45 “A” team entries with a score of 233.18, compared with the winning Old Guildfordians ”A” Team score of 247.34, and the “B” team came 17^th out of 27 “B” team entries with a score of 207.7, compared with the winning Uppingham Vets ”B” Team score of 245.30, see here:  School_Veterans_A_Team.pdf  School_Veterans_2nd_Team.pdf  extracts from the NRA website www.nra.org.uk, Competitions, Imperial Meeting 2010, Schools Prizelists, Schools Veterans Teams.  The Lancing “A” team result of 233.18, details shown attached, was not quite up to the standard achieved last year of 237.19.  Crackshot Rex Barrington was on top form, as usual, with 49.6, just pipping Chris Claridge, on his return after 3 years military service in the USA, with 49.3.  One of the highlights was the award of a handsome NRA bronze medallion to Rex B for being top OL scorer.  However, it should be noted that the scores of the others were mostly very good, the overall average of the ten shooters being 44.3, compared with last year’s 46.1.  A further highlight was that for the second year running the “A” team won the Royal Sussex Challenge Cup and 8 silver medals, there being only two entries! 

 

The photograph shows some of the OLs who attended (left to right): Rex Barrington, Phil Harrison, James de la Mare, David Langridge, Andrew Robinson, Andrew Morley, Ian Robinson, Neil Traylen, Jim White, James Pain (crackshot Chris Claridge was absent undertaking range scoring activities). 

The day concluded with a brief AGM, followed by an excellent 3-course Carvery Dinner at the Sussex Rifle Association Club for 14 of us including 5 enthusiastic College Team members – the photo shows (left to right): Chris Claridge, James de la Mare, Andrew Morley, Phil Harrison, the backs of heads of some of the College Team members, James Pain, Andrew Robinson (missing, taking the photo: Ian Robinson), and the resolve to do even better next year! 

All in all, another good and enjoyable day for the OLRC! 

The 2010 OLRC “Q” Long Range match took place at Bisley on Saturday 8^th May, a cold (9C), overcast, drizzly day, with a fresh variable crosswind.  Nevertheless, a good crowd of 12 public school teams turned up.  The match comprised 2 sighters and 10 rounds to count at 900 yards and again at 1000 yards.  The teams comprised four shooters, three being nominated in advance, and the fourth being the highest scorer from others present.  Unfortunately, only 4 OL shooters could attend, so the Lancing team had a limited choice of picking a fourth highest scorer!  As a result, Lancing came 9^th out of nine team results – see the attached scores.  Lancing highlights included 3 close high scorers, Team Captain Andrew Morley being top of the pops again, with our top individual score of 91 including 6 V bulls, James Pain was a close second with a total of 90 plus even more V bulls, and Club Chairman Neil Traylen third with a total of 86.7 - all very creditable, particularly in the poor shooting weather conditions.  In fact, Lancing were the second highest V bull scorers at 1000 yards!  Neil T treated us to a very civilised tea and his, now traditional, superb homemade muffins – see the attached photo showing (left to right) Ian Robinson, James Pain, James de la Mare, Neil Traylen, and Andrew Morley.  We only had one target again, but our new technique of the next man in getting settled before his predecessor has finished, meant that we finished comfortably in time. 

A further highlight of the day was seeing through the windows of the College minibus as they departed Bisley six beaming College team faces pointing excitedly to the enormous silver bowl which they had just won in the Officers Bowl (Reserve Pair) competition - their afternoon’s results,  show shooting skills which are encouraging for the future of the OLRC! 

The next definite OLRC events at Bisley are the “Q” All Day match starting at 09.00 hrs on 6 June, and the Public Schools Ashburton Shield Veterans 500 yards competition on Thursday 15 July at 17.30 hrs, to be followed by the AGM and a Surrey clubhouse dinner booked for 10 at £20 per head.  Please register your interest soonest direct to Andrew Morley at E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Ian Robinson, OLRC Hon. Sec., Sanderson’s 1947-52.

 LANCING OLD BOYS F.C. – 2009/10 SEASON

 It has been a long difficult season with the weather forcing games to be played right through to the end of April 2010 from a start in the later days of August 2009.

 Both sides have now managed to retain their places in their respective Divisions – the 1^st XI in the Premier Division and the 2^nd XI in Division 3. The 2’s managed this with a good win in their penultimate game and the 1^st XI, despite being 3^rd at the beginning of April, secured their status with three games still to go.

 It has been a mixed season with a bright start for both sides but the winter weather and the postponements it brought seemed to break our rhythm both on and off the pitch and we ended the season happy to secure good wins against Forest and the Cholmelians both away from home which steered us clear of the dog fight beneath us!

 The 1^st XI used over 40 different players during the season which, in turn, of course affected the 2^nd XI. In one way, however, it is remarkable that we can call on this many OL’s to turn out for us and this is greatly aided by our growing connections with the School and its 1^st XI players. Last season we used 7 of their very successful side and this year we have used another 5, all members of the Lower Sixth and as such using the experience to help them in their 2010 season with the school.

 Our Arthur Dunn campaign was a reflection of our availability problems in that of the original side picked to play Harrow in December 2009, eight were unavailable for the side which finally lost to Harrow late in January 2010. Despite this, those picked battled manfully only to lose in the second half of extra time to a Harrow side that had been either top or 2^nd in the League throughout the season.

 The Club is well run thanks to the Committee led by its Chairman, Tim Kemp. In addition, James Butcher has done a great job as our new Fixture Secretary and also Chris Williams looking after our finances.

Finally the Captains, Gareth Allen for the 1^st XI and Nick Dalby-Welsh for the 2’s have had a difficult time making sure that we have full, competitive sides but have done a wonderful job and we all look forward to the return of some players who have been abroad to help the quality for next season.

As usual our Dinner on the 12^th March, attended by 90 members and guests was a great success with the main Speaker being our very own, Chris Saunders.    

 NHSE