48th ABT HCIT-Bywell Shooting Ground
September 8th & 9th 2023
This year’s ABT HCIT was held at Bywell Shooting Ground, on behalf of the SCTA.
With shooters arriving for practice on the Wednesday and Thursday, the weather was definitely not what we were expecting, with cloudless skies and a blazing hot sun, with temperatures up to 27C!!
With the squad draw being done at 1.30pm on Thursday, it felt like the start of the event!
Team Wales were all ready to compete-but we were sorry that Gareth Wrentmore and Rhys Tucker weren’t able to join the team.
But it was good to see 5 new caps this year, with Graham Evans as Captain and Clive Bowen as Manager
Friday’s weather was more of the same and after an 8.30 start to set the day’s targets, the competition was on!!
After a stiflingly hot first day, the scores were in and Team Wales shooters were certainly holding their own-especially the teams, with the scores very close!
Saturday-Day 2, was even hotter and once the targets were set, we were off again and shooters sought out any available shade in between rounds-mainly in Bywell’s gunroom lol!!
The scoring for good for such an oppressively hot day, but we were all glad to finish and get out of the sun.
We then made our way to Doxford Hall for the HCIT Banquet. This was a beautiful building, set out in the countryside. The meal was superb-as was the atmosphere, with all the shooters and their families joining in to applaud the speeches and to congratulate the prize winners.
Team Wales prize winners were-
Wales New Cap High Gun-Neil Stephens-174
Super Veteran High Gun of Wales-Graham Evans-183
Veteran High Gun of Wales-Orwel Davies-184
Junior High Gun of Wales-Rob Shone-172
Ladies High Gun of Wales-Sarah Nichols-Weaver-116
Senior High Gun of Wales-Trevor Griffiths-165
High Gun of Wales-Orwel Davies-184
Super Veteran Runner Up-Graham Evans-183
Runner Up Super Veterans Team-Wales-360
Runner Up Veterans Team-Wales-383
Runner Up Junior Team-Wales-172
I’d like to thank all the Team Wales shooters for a superb event and to their families for their support as well-it was a pleasure to be Team Manager.
The SCTA for organizing the HCIT so well-especially when based outside of Scotland and to Bywell Shooting Ground for their help and hospitality.
And congratulations to Graham Evans for his 3rd in Super Veterans at the British Open on the Sunday.
Now we look forward to Wales hosting the 2024, 49th ABT HCIT!
Full ABT HCIT scores here-
British Open ABT scores here-
