As current holders of the Southern Bowl, the Royal Southern Yacht Club hosted the third inter-club clay pigeon shooting competition on March 1st. at the Compton Manor estate. Now in its second year, the competition had previously attracted teams from the Royal Yacht Squadron, Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, Bembridge Yacht Club, Seaview and the Royal Solent Yacht Club and on this occasion, the Royal Solent and Royal Southern were joined for the first time by the Royal Southampton Yacht Club.

 Shoot Captain, Roberta Walker, welcomed the guns and guests with coffee and sticky buns on a perfect spring day, before the teams of five shot an 80-bird English Sporting layout designed by Des Sturgess which provided a taxing selection of driven, crossing and going-away targets, plus the devious bouncing bunnies, many of which had even the better shots groping for valid excuses.

Most consistent on the day, the individual High Gun prize went to Bobbie Kemp from the Royal Southampton with 63 ex-80, from fellow Southampton team member, Paul Frampton and the Royal Solent's David Fentum, both on 59, the Solent's John Cork with 58 and the Southern's John Walker on 57.

As the morning evolved it became clear that there was little to choose between individual shooters but the Royal Solent came through to produce the best display of accuracy under pressure. Their team of Charlie Anderson, David Fentum, David Conisbee, Richard Fisk and John Cork secured the Bowl for the first time with a team score of 264 ex-320, from the Royal Southampton's Mike Garvey, Paul Frampton, Bob Young, Bobbie Kemp and Richard Ashford on 253. The defending holders of the Bowl, the Royal Southern's team of Richard Curry, Clifford Sturt, Sally Sturt, Peter Tipple and John Walker enjoyed a less than perfect day to return a score of 243.

Twenty-four members and guests returned to Hamble and lunch in the River Room to end the day was a fine example of good food and attentive service which was much complimented by our visitors, before Roberta Walker presented the prizes.

With the regular Club day at Meon Springs cancelled, the next outing for the Shooting Society is on Wednesday, April 9th. at Lains Shooting School and details of this and the Club's other shooting activities can be found on the website or from Roberta Walker on 01189 889813 or 07775 925052.