FT Blog: Region v Region

The traditional ‘start’ to what is regarded as the summer FT season, is the BFTA inter regional competition. The eight regions that are members of the BFTA send a team of 15 shooters to compete over a 40-shot course, with the best combined eight scores from each region counting to the team total. Anston FTC near Chesterfield was the venue for this year’s competition.

Tough going

You know what you’re going to get with Andy Calpin setting the course and this year’s didn’t disappoint. A selection of varied and interesting targets would have been a tough test, but for the unusual lack of wind at the ground. Indeed, I don’t think Anston has been cleared two days running in its history, but that’s what happened this weekend. Mark ‘Wrecker’ Henson had put in a clear 40 ex 40 on the Saturday to take the title of 2018 BFTA Champion, while on the Sunday, his team mate Darren Hillier also cleared the course. Some, like myself struggled, mainly as when you miss early on you know you have no chance of pulling targets back on windless courses, while some did well above average and claimed some notable scalps.

All part of the fun, I think! The Midlands FTA came out on top in Sunday’s team comp, with a healthy nine target win over the home hosts, NEFTA. A surprise result not only for me, but also some in MFTA!

Hotly contested

It’s an interesting concept, this region v region thing. The 15 team places are selected from the best winter league results in the region and for some it’s a huge honour and achievement to make the team and represent where they come from! This is good, as it produces healthy competition over the gloomy winter months. There are some, however, that struggle to get a full 15 shooters attending; often due to the cost of travelling. I usually enjoy the weekend but have to say I did not this time, as the lack of wind on both days was a complete turn off for me. It’s just not ‘Welsh’ FT!

It is, however, still a great start to the season, and a chance to catch up with friends not seen since last summer. So, thanks must go to North West FT shooters Andy Finnigan, John Maher and Bob Evans for a great Saturday night post shoot waffle and curry. It’s what makes FT special- the banter and the people!

On not so big a scale, there are regions that also indulge in a little region v region competition. The Welsh (WAFTA) had for a number of years met once a year to take on their neighbours from the South West (SWEFTA.) Unfortunately, politics put a spanner in the works and it stopped. As I shoot in both areas, I have taken it upon myself to re start the venture and spread it over existing shoot dates- so less travel. April 15th was the date for the SWEFTA shoot at Buckley Wood near Exeter. About a dozen or so of my fellow Taffies on tour made the trip down and it has to be said, cake sales at Buckley Wood have never been so high! Top job Ann and the girls on the food, I must say.

A good day

Buckley wood is an old-style course, straight line and compact. For me, it’s too long and hard for a regional course and although the forecast 20 mph winds, which were actually only 5 to 10 mph, it was still very difficult for most with some very low scores. Thankfully, the rain just about held off, so it was just a bit damp. What was nice was that not only did WAFTA have a World Champion in their team, but so did SWEFTA playing a trump card of John Costello. Really good to catch up with the nicest man in FT, even nicer that he is now not so active in the discipline. Best of all, I pumped them both and managed to top score. Please let that mean I am going to be next World champion by the return leg, which will be on Sept 9th at my club Oaktree! The scores after the opening round are tight, and the best eight results taken from unlimited team numbers show SWEFTA have a lead of 5 targets. So, all to play for, but we will have a full-strength Welsh squad waiting, along with my special easy and short course for the event.

All I have to do is work out who I shoot for next time round!

2018 SWEFTA v WAFTA Challenge,

Rd. 1 scores

Andras Fekete-Moro 32
Mark Sheppard 30
John Costello 30
Neil Rogers 29
Steve Franklin 28
James Head 27
Andy Williams 24
Lee Unsworth 24

SWEFTA Total = 224

Simon Evans 34
Jack Harris 31
Dave Williams 30
Jason Harris 27
Keenan 26
Paul Davies 26
Garry Powell 24
Simon Poulter 21

WAFTA total = 219