IN A weekend of competition at Braidwood, the host side restored honour in the second and home leg of the annual interclub match, while Jim McPhillips (Bathgate) took the Hermiston Cup on the glorious 12th.
On Saturday, Jim Black set a challenging course for the return leg against East Lothian Gun Club (ELGC), the targets all the stiffer thanks to a mischievous wind that affected average scores.
Both teams enjoyed an excellent turnout for both shoot and lunch. Stuart Donaldson (Musselburgh), representing ELGC, was outright high gun, but the home side’s tally was 213 to the visitors’ 199.
However, despite clawing back 14 points, the differential from the first leg remained too great and ELGC won with an overall score of 439-427. The verdict – another great year of sportsmanship and friendship. All look forward to the rematch in 2013.
On Sunday, the wind was a little less brisk, but scores were still affected. McPhillips turned in the best score of layout one to secure the trophy and propel himself into contention for the club summer series.
Scott Livingston (Edinburgh) shot 33 to take runner-up slot, his father Donald (also Edinburgh) and Bobby Bruce (Broxburn) lying joint third one point less.
On the second layout, Kyle Smith (Dunbar) led the scoreboard on 33 while Livingston snr, Rab Neil (North Berwick), Sandy Burn (Kelso) and Dave Allison (Hawick) all scored 32.
Calculation of overall scores left two guns sharing the top slot and aggregate title for the day, Smith and Livingston snr both on a total of 64 ex-80. Livingston Jnr and Dick McCallam (Cockermouth) had the next highest score of 60. Full scores at www.braidwoodsc.co.uk
The next sporting shoot is on Sunday, August 26, when the Summer Series Shoot-off will cover all 80 targets.
Running alongside, over the first 40 of the day, is the contest for the Summertime Trophy currently held by Jack Carlyle (Dalton).
The qualifying guns are Donald Livingston (defending), Jim Brodie (Denholm), Nigel Rock (Kelso), David Bertram (Earlston), Joe Baumgart (Hawick) and Jim McPhillips, with wildcard Scott Livingston.
A week later on Saturday, September 1, the ground holds its annual House of Cheviot Ladies Day. No experience or equipment is neccessary.
For further information or to book a place, phone 01835 870280.