During July, the Gresham’s Rifle Team has been at Bisley for the annual Schools and Imperial Meetings. Expectations were not particularly high, due to very little full-bore training during the summer term. However, as the shooting got underway, it soon became apparent that we were not all that far off the pace.

There were early successes during the days building up to the Ashburton Shield. Alex S got the team off to a good start by finishing 2^nd in the Monday Aggregate. Harry P then finished 8^th in the Tuesday Aggregate, with Alex just behind in 9^th. The Wednesday Aggregate didn’t go quite so well for the team, with Oliver R achieving our highest place shot, in 22^nd place. Gresham’s had 11 of their 17 strong team members in the Schools Hundred, which is for the top 100 shots during the week. There were some excellent performances by the new shots in the team, with Bella B and Kyla C being the pick of the bunch. However, Lucy C and James M both also enjoyed a very successful week and acquired huge amounts of experience.

The Rifle Team was supported and assisted by Mr Clarke for the Schools Meeting, and Mrs Liberman oversaw running the Pavilion and the catering for the duration of the trip. The team is very grateful to them both for all that they do and was extremely pleased, and grateful, to have the support of staff members on Ashburton Day. Mrs Ross, Mrs Humphrey, Mr Matthews, Mr Margetson, Miss Grasby, and Mr Liberman very kindly supported the team for the entire day, and many friends and family joined them. Thank you all for your support.

Mr Kinder, as he all too often does, went to huge lengths to support the team this year. Every Wednesday evening, before Ashburton Day, the team gets off camp and visits the Military Cemetery at Brookwood. This has become an annual visit for the team. Kinder arrived at Bisley in time to join the team for their trip to Brookwood this year. In true Mr Kinder fashion, he had gone to great lengths to research three OGs that are commemorated on the WWII memorial in the cemetery. He took time out of his well-earned summer break to tell the stories of these three OGs to the team. Two of the OGs had even represented the Gresham’s School shooting VIII at Bisley, which made it even more relevant to the young people. It was an extraordinary occasion, and I am extremely thankful to Mr Kinder.

Conditions had warmed up throughout the week and Ashburton Day was a warm, but pleasant, day. The wind was tricky at times and certainly caught many teams out at the 600-yard distance (including the Gresham’s team). The VIII got off to a strong start, scoring the third-highest score on the range at 300 yards. Every member of the team scored in the 30s and left the team only 8 points behind the leaders. The team was then hit hard by tricky conditions at 600 yards and the majority of the VIII failed to score above 30. They handled the conditions at 500 yards much better but had other issues to contend with. At some point during the lunch break, one of the teams’ rifles had sustained damage and two members of the VIII had to switch to a completely different rifle. It was very impressive to see the team handle this setback so well. They were able to make up some positions and finished the day in 6^th place, which was very respectable considering the level of preparation they had begun with at the start of the week. Well done to Epsom College on their victory, which was hugely deserved.

Our Under 16 Cadets had an excellent day on the range and managed to finish 6^th in the Cadet Pairs, and 5^th place in the Cadet Fours competitions. Grace S and Corin H both shot very well in their competitions and could have easily represented VIII. Bella B had a real struggle at 300 yards but did not let this affect the rest of her day and went on to shoot fantastically well at the other two distances. Ilana B, Kyla C, Lucy C, James M, and Alastair S all put in some strong performances, and it is looking hugely encouraging for the future of the team. Henry J was the team’s reserve for the day and was able to secure 2^nd place in his competition.

The Schools Meeting was followed by the 155^th Imperial Meeting and 15 members of the team shot in the second week of competition.

Thanks must go to all the staff and pupils who helped to make the summer such a huge success for the Rifle Club.