April 13th saw the Inter-Counties Skeet Final at Mid Wales Shooting Centre where everyone was hoping for the same perfect conditions as last year i.e. good weather, good targets and good refereeing. They nearly got it all right apart from one heavy downpour but even that didn't stop the likes of Pete Humphries or Chris Wright from Powys shooting 50ex50.

Also quietly chipping away (if that's at all possible!) was Huw Evans who was unable to qualify for his own County team (Clwyd) and was seconded to Gwent, was also on 50 straight.

Dyfed were beginning to realise if they wanted to retain their title, they were going to have to raise their game.  Paul Heywood made a gallant effort but just let one get away on his second round giving him 49ex50.

Also taking up the challenge was Lloyd Handley and Jeff Williams shooting for West Glamorgan and Darren Norman (Clwyd) and Jonathon Williams (Powys) all on 49ex50.

Then something happened! The next 50 saw a complete turnaround for Powys and Pete and Chris struggled to continue with their form and both struggled to complete what they had started. Pete finishing with a 94ex100 and Chris 95ex100. It was enough for Pete to take the Captains Cup but was it going to be enough for Powys to take the title?

Paul Heywood put another 49ex50 in, finishing on a 98. A slip of concentration for Huw, saw him drop low 5 in his 3rd round putting him on 74ex75 but with a tremendous performance put that to the back of his mind and went on to straight the last round, finishing on 99ex100! One small consolation for Huw though, if he had shot 100 straight he wouldn't have been eligible to join the famous '100 Straight Club' as the Final is never a registered event but I'm sure he's saving that experience for one of the Welsh selection shoots! Well done Huw!

Some other noticeable scores were from West Glamorgan, with three of their Senior shooters finishing on 96ex100, Lloyd Handley, Mark Davies and Dai Rees and from Gwent, Kevin McGuire. 

When all the scores come in, it was a very close run thing and it was Dyfed who were victorious overall - 'well shot everybody'...... It seems as though the close shave Dyfed had at last years Final when they beat Powys by only 2 clays made Dyfed all the more determined to put some distance between them this year.  I'm sure all the teams will be back next year to do battle again!

Tom Hayes from Clwyd, shooting in Veteran class, finished on a 96, just beating Peter Lucas from West Glamorgan by one clay.

Junior, Stephen Jones from Clwyd, started the day with an excellent 25 straight on his first round, a little hic-cup in the middle two, but kept it together on the final round and took the junior title on a 91. Well done Stephen.

Ladies High Gun went back to Dyfed with Carol Francis along with the Ladies Team Shield helped by team mate Deena Griffiths.

Dyfed Juniors took home the Junior Team Shield with Gareth Walters and James Richards. Well done to them.

The husband and wife Veteran team from Clwyd, Tom and Joan Hayes couldn't quite match the determination of the West Glamorgan Veteran team of Peter Lucas and Jeff Williams who took the Veteran Team Shield home with them.

This year saw 18 squads go out to shoot the Final and that is down to the hard work of the Co-ordinators and thanks go out to them. If we didn't have them, there would be no County finals in any disciplines! 

Thanks also go to Arthur, Rita and all the staff at Mid Wales Shooting Ground for such an enjoyable day.

One last point, many of the Welsh National Skeet team started by shooting County Finals and then decided to have a go at doing the Welsh qualifiers.  Many made it and had the honour of shooting for their Country.  Many didn't, but still turn up every year and have a go.  With the scores that were around on this counties finals day (in any class) you really should think about having a go at the qualifiers.  What have you got to lose?  Just contact the Discipline Reps for more information.

Results Summary: