The 2024 edition of the Welsh Open took place at Dovey Valley Shooting ground.
This years course was set by Richard Hughes over 4 old system layouts, each using a different part of Dovey Valleys topography.
Each of the layouts had a 25 straight on, special mention to the below as the layouts certainly weren’t easy, with many tough pair combinations
Skeet layout – Mark Webster – the last peg had some range on it
DTL layout – William Baughan – the last pair was out there
Mallard layout – Nigel Hart – had a chondel at distance
Top Field – Andrew & Janine White – required good gun control
Even though each layout was straighted the high gun score was 94 and would be from England’s William Baughan, who had just popped across (4 ½ hours drive).
At the half way point, there was a pack at the front that all had the potential to take the win. The aforementioned Mr Baughan, Andrew White on 46 , Janine one ahead on 47. Rhys Powell had started the day strong with a 24 on the top field layout. Josh Keeble was not far away from the front pack either. Last years winner Rob Evans going well, but the DTL layout was where it slipped away a bit.
As the day unfolded, we would see the Welsh highest scores rest with both Andrew and Janine on 92’s. Rhys Powell missed the last target on the Mallard layout yielding another 24 to land him on 91, a final score that he and Rob Evans shared.
The Welsh high gun was decided by a shoot off between Andrew & Janine on the skeet layout (but rest assured they were not skeet targets), the eventual winner was Andrew ( I imagine he cooked his own dinner Sunday night)
Category winners;
Overall HG – William Baughan – 94
Welsh & Senior HG – Andrew White – 92
Ladies HG – Janine White – 92
Junior HG – Rhys Powell – 91
Veteran HG – Nigel Hart – 89
Super Veteran HG – Stephen Williams – 88 (not present for a photo below)
Congratulations to all the winners and those who yielded good points for the team ranking
Full results here: https://www.cpsa.co.uk/scores/fixture/fitasc-sporting-welsh-clay-target-shooting-association-20240818/115334
Many thanks to Dovey Valley, Richard Hughes, WCTSA and the referees for running the event.
The team heads to Ireland at the beginning of October to compete at Esker shooting ground, I’m sure you will join me in wishing them the best of luck.
FITASC Welsh Open Overall & Senior HG – Billy Baughan (trophy presented by Mark Jones, Dovey Valley S.G.)
FITASC Welsh Open Welsh HG – Andrew White
FITASC Welsh Open Veteran HG – Nigel Hart
FITASC Welsh Open Ladies HG – Janine White
FITASC Welsh Open Junior HG – Rhys Powell