Cefn Tilla Clays hosted the two day Welsh Open Sporting 2024 utilizing the parkland, leading down to the stately home for the first half of the course, putting in two new stands to shoot up to the left, which was a new welcome addition. This then followed the regular route used by Cefn Tilla arching around the brow of a hill covered with oak trees, which traps were very cleverly concealed behind.
Chris Childerhouse set the pace early on day one to make it 112/120 to beat for those to follow, which over a well balanced, but challenging 120 bird course, was no mean feat. Jonathan Kendall followed up close behind with a fine display of shooting himself with a 111/120, setting the bar for those hoping to take home the Tony King memorial trophy and the Welsh High Gun.
Going into day two there were plenty of shooters still to shoot that would potentially be capable of overcoming the scores set by Jonathan and Chris, with the likes of Josh Keeble, Richard ”Brewster” Hughes, Michael Cyffin Jones, Martin Myers or potentially, the ever competitive Andrew White (despite his 2 year hiatus from competitive shooting) still to come. The weather across both days was pretty similar; a fine sunshine with a gentle breeze, perhaps the odd gust of wind here and there that could quite easily of tipped the balance.
At the end of day two it was Martin Myers who came out victorious, with a fantastic score of 113 to take home the 2024 Welsh Open title HG. Richard Brewster Hughes finished his round with a fantastic score of 111/120 to match Kendall and take it to a shoot off for the Tony King Memorial trophy, and also the Welsh Open Welsh High Gun. The shoot off was a fantastic spectacle for the crowd who stayed behind to spectate in what was a re match of their 2021 showdown at Dovey valley for the very same honours, (of which Kendall took all the bragging rights then).
However this time it was Brewster who came out on top after shooting the ‘winner’ on what was described by some as a massive looper. Well shot both !!!!
Veteran High gun was awarded to Mark Marshall for a fine display – winning on 111/120, Super Veteran was Robin Heal finishing on a 95. The on form Henry James was crowned junior high gun on a very competitive 103/120, Lucy Earl making the journey south to claim the bragging rights of ladies Welsh Open HG 100/120, and finally Connor Davies winning the Colts title on 101/120. Very well done young man!
A big thanks to Rob Evans, Dan Baldwin and the Cefn Tilla Clays team for running a first class event with great, technical and varied targets which really showcased the best of what Welsh sporting clays can offer. Hats off guys, great work !!
Finally these shoots would not be possible without the dedication of the referees and to you, the shooters – these shoots are the life blood of our association and everyone who attends these selection shoots and pays their entry fee and levy, keeps this fantastic sport of shooting thriving in Wales.
HG
Martin Myers 113
AA
1st Chris Childerhouse 112
2nd Mark Marshall, Richard Hughes, Jonathan Kendall 111
3rd Bleddyn Lewis, Jacob Oloughlin 110
A
1st Toby Naish 106
2nd Martin Walmsley 104
3rd Henry James 103
B
1st Nathan Palmer 99
2nd Edward Johnson 97
3rd Janine White 96
C
1st Scott Cannan 95
2nd Ashley Keylock 89
3rd Andrew Jones 86
Welsh Open Overall HG & Senior HG – Martin Myers
Welsh Open Welsh HG – Richard Hughes
Welsh Open Veteran HG – Mark Marshall
Welsh Open Super Veteran HG – Robin Heal
Welsh Open Junior HG – Henry James
The Tony King Memorial Trophy Winner – Richard Hughes (trophy presented by Tony’s son, Niall)