This season’s league has finished and the winners are:
Division 1: Watsonians A (J R & L J Brown) from Edin Uni A (N Sinclair & E Sheuerl)
Division 2: Watsonians B (R Somerset & I Sellar) from Prestonpans A (J Young & M Williamson)
Division 3: Prestonpans D (N Broome & J Hutchison) from Prestonpans C (K Neil & A Marr)
Congratulations to them. Take the Competitions/Club Pairs League link above to see full details.
The Individual Benchrest League has finished and resulted in a win in division 1 for Alan Anderson of Hawick, who thus retains the title (again – he has never lost it!). Clubmate Ian Burton was runner-up.
Division 2 was won by Robin Macmillan also of Hawick, beating clubmate (and last year’s div 2 winner) Keith Nixon by just one point. Keith had the top aggregate in the division so Robin won his points at the right times.
Division 3 (entirely populated by Prestonpans shooters) was won by a street by Paul Crosbie from Greg McMillan.
Well done to everyone. Take the Competitions / Individual Benchrest League link for full details.
Here’s an end of season report by the competition organiser:
We had 17 entrants this season and 9 managed at least one Round with a score of 200. Some making significant improvements as the season progressed.
Unfortunately, we had one withdrawal part way through due to Range issues at Watsonians. I would point out that everyone in Division 1 including Bill Hamilton who could not complete the season, had maximum points for at least one Round. So, it can be tight at the top with the number of X’s making the difference on points allocated. A mention for Robin Thomsom with 200 and 14 X’s in Round in 10. Robin’s new scope and some recent coaching might mean next season could be even closer.
Division 2 went down to the last Round with Robin Macmillan beating Keith Nixon by 1 point. Phil Smithard from The Sands Rifle Club joined us but he had only shot a few practice cards to form an average but most importantly he enjoyed taking part and is learning as he goes.
Division 3 was all Prestonpans affair. With a clear winner who improved throughout the season, well done to Paul Crosbie with Greg McMillan fighting off the rest of his club members.
Potentially looking at 4 Divisions next Winter if we continue with the current interest. If you have the opportunity, please give Benchrest a try. It can be quite addictive, and you do not have to give up other forms of shooting or even get another rifle. Robin Thomson uses his Prone Rifle to shoot Benchrest as does Ian Burton, who was second in Division 1.
Alan Anderson
Here’s a message that David McConnell of Redcraig has asked to be published here for the information of local shooters:
A note of thanks to the shooting community,
It is with regret that I am retiring from the sport of small bore target shooting, my reasons are, an old motorcycle injury to my left hand is now coming back to haunt me (as my scores will testify) ageing equipment, potential loss of storage for my rifle and equipment and old age itself.
I was brought up in a family of small bore shooters , my father Alex leading the way and setting standards myself and 2 brothers tried but never quite emulated.
I joined Redcraig Rifle Club in 1968 and at that time Redcraig had 2 x 6 person teams and 3 x 4 person teams and was a Club that could hold their own against the best.
I have had the privilege of competing with some outstanding shooters over the last 58yrs and shot on some iconic and strange ranges (sadly most no longer exist).
I have held the post of Club Secretary since 1990 and Club certificate holder since 2006. Our Club certificate is due for renewal in June and at that time I will officially hand over these posts to other members to ensure Redcraig continues as a club. So to all the members past and present from Balerno & Currie, Citizens, Civil Service, Dalkeith, Eastfield, Eighth Club, Edinburgh University, Gorebridge, Heriots, Lothian Buses, Musselburgh, Pathhead, Prestonpans, Railways, Selkirk & Watsonians, (all the ranges I can remember shooting on) can I offer my sincere thanks for your company and sportsmanship over the last 58yrs and wish all surviving members and Clubs a bright future.
Respectfully and in sport
David McConnell
The Final of the 2025-26 Individual Championship took place yesterday afterrnoon at Balerno & Currie’s range, once again making use of the club’s electronic targets. A full complement of 16 finalists attended, with only one reserve having to be called up due to the unavailability of a qualifier. Here is a link to the qualification stage and the full results and scores of all the subsidiary Championships.
The winner for the second year in succession, was Sinclair Bruce of Balerno & Currie, who beat Amanda Puchalla (Watsonians) in the final.
The full results can be seen here, but here’s a summary:
I have to say it wasn’t a particulary high-scoring first round. Last year there were six 100s in this round – this time there was only one (Adam Dove, Watsonians, the 2022 Champion). The winners were Nick Baker (Watsonians ) who had a walkover when clubmate Robin Thomson was unable to shoot because of an injury, Amanda Puchalla over Josh Mitchell (EdinUniv), Charlotte Kim (George Watson’s) – our new Junior Champion – who recovered just enough from a poor first card to beat Steve Metcalfe (Hawick) by one point, Adam Dove’s ‘poss’ helped him to beat our new Ladies Champion Eilidh Sheuerl (EdinUniv), Sinclair Bruce overcame clubmate Julian Bradfield, Neil Sinclair (EdinUniv) beat former Champion Daniel Gutteridge (Watsonians), who had a nightmare first card, Tony Lin Baledent (GWC) beat Dorothy Harrison (EdinUniv) and another former Champion Alan Anderson (Hawick) beat Ollie Christy (EdinUniv), by only one point.
In round 2, Nick Baker couldn’t compete with Amanda Puchalla’s 198 (which turned out to be the best score of the day), Charlotte Kim had a bit of a meltdown and Adam Dove took that tie quite easily. Sinclair Bruce and Neil Sinclair tied on 196 but the former went through on the countback rule. Tony Lin Baledent took care of Alan Anderson, whose second card of 94 was somewhat uncharacteristic.
The first semi-final between Amanda and Adam provided the most excitement of the day. Adam appeared to be cruising, with a 100 versus Amanda’s 98 on the first cards. They were scoring shot-for-shot 10s, then Amanda dropped a couple, but suddenly out of nowhere – Bam! Adam put a shot in the white – an accidental let-off and a complete miss. Amanda won 194 to 189. Adam shot 18 tens, one nine and a zero and could be described as being disappointed with himself. In the other semi, Sinclair Bruce’s solid 197 was enough to overcome Tony, whose 195 was quite respectable but he couldn’t follow up his initial 99 with another one, which would have won the tie for him.
In the final, it was neck and neck 98s for both Amanda and Sinclair after the first ten shots, but Amanda started dropping some and Sink ran out the winner by 197 to 194 to retain his title. Congratulations to him.
I’d like to thank Balerno & Currie for the use of their range, and also Gavin Walker of the home club for running the computer controlling the electronic targets. The event could not have taken place without him.
WFH
A new date has been decided for the 2025-26 Watsonian Open (seee below). It will now be held on 5th/6th September 2026.
The scores for the first round of the Open Championship and the winners of the Ladies, Veterans, Junior, the Inexpert A & B class and Benchrest Championships have been issued.
The Open Championship Final will be held at Balerno & Currie on Sunday 8th March. The finalists’ clubs have been informed of those qualifiying.
Top scorer in the Open qualifying round: A S Bruce, Balerno & Currie (300 x300)
Ladies Champion: Miss E Sheuerl, Edinburgh University (296)
Veterans Champion: A S Bruce, Balerno & Currie (300)
Junior Champion: Miss C Kim, George Watson’s (293)
Inexpert A Champion: S Gregory, Watsonians (279)
Inexpert B Champion: H Lee, George Watson’s (277)
Benchrest Champion: A R Anderson, Hawick (300, 7x’s)
Congratulations to them all. Take the Competitions/Championships link above to see the runners-up as well, plus a link to the complete scores file.
Teams have been selected to shoot in the NSRA’s annual ‘BSA Cup’ and ‘Mrs Charles Laws Trophy’ competitions. These are for Open teams of 12 and Ladies teams of 5 respectively representing NSRA County Associations throughout the UK. Take the County Teams/Indoor teams/NSRA Annual matches links above to see the teams originally selected.
The teams will shoot their cards at Balerno & Currie on Sunday 8th March.
Unfortunately this meeting now cannot be held on the advertised date, and it has had to be postponed. A new date will be announced in due course.
The Watsonian Rifle Club will be holding its annual Open Meeting over the weekend of 24th & 25th January 2026. The entry form can be downloaded from here.
The meeting comprises one 60-shot competition in five classes, with concurrent competitions for ladies, veterans, three junior age-groups, club & junior teams of 3 and club & junior pairs. There’s plenty for everyone! Refreshments and snacks will be available both days.
Clubs should note that the closing date for the 2025-26 Championships and Individual League is Monday 24th November. If entries have not already been sent in, then skates should be looked out and put on asap. The entry form file is available in the ‘Forms & Minutes’ link in the sidebar (requires password) if required.
As from this season the arrangements for the Championships have been formalised into a new Rules document. These are the only competitions we run that did not have a formal set of regulations, and previously they were run on tradition and what people remembered what used to happen, Please see here for the new Rules document (also available on the Championships page).
One significant change introduced this season is that the postal stage for all competitions now consists of three cards instead of two. Also, if a tie for first place on raw gunscore for any of the competitions that are decided on the postal stage occurs, then it will be decided by a shoot-off. That condition applies to all the subsidiary Championships and the top qualifier for the Open Championship (i.e. all those with a trophy at stake on this stage). The use of graduated gauges has been discontinued (which means that the use of electronic targets is now allowed).
The draws foar the Individual and Team CYOH competitions have been made and the stickers are on their way to the clubs.
The first round of the Individual competition is due on 3rd November (not long now!) and that of the Team competition is due on 15th December.
Balerno & Currie’s annual Open Meeting will take place on 15th & 16th November. There are both prone and air rifle and air pistol components, all shot on the club’s Meyton electronic targets.
Postal entries close on Thursday 13th November but there is a 20% discount for entries received before 1st November.
All airgun competitors are required to enter by the 13th due to the restricted number of firing points. Prone entries can be taken on the day if space permits but advance entry is recommended.
The prone part of the meeting consists of two 30-shot competitions in four classes, shot in six 10-minute details (which need not be shot consecutively). There are also Junior, Pairs and Team (of 3) competitions.
The air rifle and pistol parts of the meeting both consist of two 60-shot competitions shot as far as possible to ISSF rules (excluding clothing rules). Junior competitions will be run concurrently (60 shots).
Catering will be provided (bacon rolls a speciality) so there’s no need to bring your own lunch.
The entry form can be downloaded using this link. Please be careful to follow the instructions for paying fees in advance and for sending the form in.
The News page for the period September 2024 to August 2025 has been archived. Please take the News Archives link in the sidebar for a link to it and all previous annual News archives.