The next full-bore match at Bisley will take place in May 2008. Firm dates to follow.

The first event of 2008 was the .22 match between the OMs and the College once again at the College’s Gunner Range on 20 January 2008 with 7 OMs attending shooting against the School’s team of 6, with the highest scores to count. Once again the school was, sadly beaten by 591 to 574 but bearing in mind that youth of the school team (with only 2 in the 6th form) and that if only the top 4 scores had counted, the difference would have only been 6 points, the School team can be proud of their achievement against an OM team which it should not be forgotten, includes a fair few who have shot nationally. Freddy Puckle-Hobbs’ appeared for a lightning shoot which was appreciated though his score suggested his mind was perhaps more on the Debating competition from which he took time out that day! Elisabeth Swinn’s possible made it onto “the board” but was unfortunately not counted towards the School’s score as it was her second shoot of the day. For the OMs, Dominic Devere was back shooting smallbore for the first time in 15 years and also scored a possible on his second (uncounted) shoot! Many thanks to Peter Finn for arranging the Match and the OMs wish the School well in the fullbore season and look forward to the revenge match to be held at Bisley in May.

The last small-bore event for the year for the OM Rifle Club was held at the Gunner Range at the College on 18^th November 2007 with 9 OMs attending and the School fielding a team of 6 headed by Freddy Puckle-Hobbs who scored 100 as did the OMs John White. Freddy was awarded the Donegal medal for his efforts. The best six scores of for the OMs won the day against the young but promising school team (593 against 585); this was followed by two details of rapid fire in which various shooters surprised themselves by achieving higher scores in the limited time frame than they had in the match itself. The newly refurbished Gunner Range still draws much admiration from the OMs who variously recalled the cramped and freezing conditions of the College’s earlier range. A credit to all for turning up on a wet afternoon but all appeared to have had a good time!

Congratulations: Firstly, we congratulate those members of the Club who shot in the World Long Range (Palma) Matches in Canada last summer. Richard Jeens was a member of the successful GB Team which retained the Palma Trophy. Richard shot in the match and became only the fourth OM to represent the Club in these matches (following Geoffrey Robinson and David and Bill Richards). Robin Baker was in the successful GB Veterans Team which also retained the Veterans Trophy. Robin was one of the coaches in the Match. Ed Jeens was the successful captain of the GB Under 25 Team which again successfully defended the Under 25 trophy. Apart from his duties as captain, Ed was one of the coaches in the Match. Finally, Ed Dickson was a member of the Athelings team which performed with distinction, and he also shot in the Under 21 Match, against elder opposition from other countries.

The first event of 2008 was the .22 match between the OMs and the College on 20 January 2008 once again at the College’s Gunner Range with 7 OMs shooting against the School’s team of 6, with the highest scores to count. Once again the school was, sadly beaten by 591 to 574 but bearing in mind that youth of the school team (with only 2 in the 6th form) and that if only the top 4 scores had counted, the difference would have only been 6 points, the School team can be proud of their achievement against an OM team which it should not be forgotten, includes a fair few who have shot nationally.

Freddy Puckle-Hobbs’ appeared for a lightning shoot which was appreciated though his score suggested his mind was perhaps more on the Debating competition from which he took time out that day! Charles Brooks scored a possible as befits the role of President of the OMRC; for the College Elisabeth Swinn’s possible made it onto “the board” but was unfortunately not counted towards the School’s score as it was her second shoot of the day.

For the OMs, Dominic Devere was back shooting smallbore for the first time in 15 years and also scored a possible on his second (uncounted) shoot! Many thanks to Peter Finn for arranging the Match and the OMs wish the School well in the fullbore season and look forward to the revenge match to be held at Bisley in May – date to be announced.

The last small-bore event for the year for the OM Rifle Club was held at the Gunner Range at the College on 18^th November 2007 with 9 OMs attending and the School fielding a team of 6 headed by Freddy Puckle-Hobbs who scored 100 as did the OM John White (B3 1948-53). Freddy was awarded the Donegal medal for his efforts. The best six scores of for the OMs won the day against the young but promising school team (593 against 585); this was followed by two details of rapid fire in which various shooters surprised themselves by achieving higher scores in the limited time frame than they had in the match itself. The newly refurbished Gunner Range still draws much admiration from the OMs who variously recalled the cramped and freezing conditions of the College’s earlier range. A credit to all for turning up on a wet afternoon but all appeared to have had a good time!

Habib Rahman has taken over from Patrick Pelly as Secretary of the Old Marlburian’s Rifle Club.

Patrick would like to thank all those who supported the club, especially past Club Presidents Tony de Launay and Charles Brooks and wishes Habib Rahman the best of luck in his new role.  Over the year the club has attracted 8 new members and is continuing to flourish. Anyone wishing to join the club should contact Habib on jhr@jute.uk.com 

The OM Rifle Club held the first of their two annual smallbore matches against the College on Sunday 28th January.  The match took place on the Gunner Range at Marlborough.  The OMs fielded 9 firers whereas the College only had 5  available to shoot, so by mutual agreement the result of the match was determined by the best 4 ten-bull targets shot by each team. This culminated in a one-point victory for the College, 381 to 380 (ex 400), continuing their series of victories (at smallbore) against the Club! Well done and thank you to all involved.  Our next event is the fullbore match at Bisley on Sunday 20th May.

The OM Rifle Club held the first of their two annual smallbore matches against the College on Sunday 28th January.  The match took place on the Gunner Range at Marlborough.  The OMs fielded 9 fireres whereas the College only had 5  available to shoot, so by mutual agreement the result of the match was determined by the best 4 ten-bull targets shot by each team. This culminated in a one-point victory for the College, 381 to 380 (ex 400), continuing their series of victories (at smallbore) against the Club! Well done and thank you to all involved.  Our next event is the fullbore match at Bisley on Sunday 20th May.

The OMs fielded 9 firers whereas the College only had 5  available to shoot, so by mutual agreement the result of the match was determined by the best 4 ten-bull targets shot by each team. This culminated in a one-point victory for the College, 381 to 380 (ex 400), continuing their series of victories (at smallbore) against the Club! Well done and thank you to all involved.  Our next event is the fullbore match at Bisley on Sunday 20th May.

The OM Rifle Club held the first of their two annual smallbore matches against the College on Sunday 28th January.  The match took place on the Gunner Range at Marlborough.  The OMs fielded 9 fireres whereas the College only had 5  available to shoot, so by mutual agreement the result of the match was determined by the best 4 ten-bull targets shot by each team. This culminated in a one-point victory for the College, 381 to 380 (ex 400), continuing their series of victories (at smallbore) against the Club! Well done and thank you to all involved.  Our next event is the fullbore match at Bisley on Sunday 20th May.