Dovey 2009.

On the weekend of 26th/27th September we went on our Autumn trip to the Dovey Valley Shooting Ground. We divided into two teams and set about a fierce competition to see which would be the top team and who, ultimately, would be top-gun. The teams, established by drawing ancient half-crown coins, were the Kings and the Queens.

We shot two rounds of 100 birds separated by a break for lunch, and finished the day with the contest finely poised with the Queens just shading it and Steve Price, Max and Guy all in contention for the top trophy. All was set up for Sunday's final round of 100 birds.

Saturday night was a very pleasant affair with good food eaten at the White Lion Hotel and several shandies consumed. Phil broke with tradition and slept in the bed assigned and not in his car or a convenient bath. Guy sensibly went to bed early after nine or so pints of IPA (5% proof). Steve P. talked all comers into losing to him at pool while the four senior citizens (Rae, Max, Pete and myself) set a good example by getting back to the hotel at a sensible hour and, after a couple of convivial sherberts, retiring to watch Match of the Day and get a good night's kip. The other night hawks stayed up sinking ale until the hotel owner put the towels on and signalled an end to proceedings.

Sunday morning dawned and a full English breakfast set us up for the day's endeavours. Burdy was rendered slightly sluggish by the effects of a midnight donner kebab but shook this off to be ready for the day's shooting.

The competition suffered somewhat from the effects of the previous evening's merriment but Max came good and posted a good score which was equalled in total by Guy. It has to be said, and Guy insisted I say it, he shot Steve Benton's 28 bore side-by-side for the final 100 clays. A shoot-off was necessary to find the top gun. After a nail biting , sudden death shoot off Guy, product of our youth policy, emerged as the winner.

The team competition was narrowly won by the Queens.

The prizes having been awarded, we headed off for home looking forward to our spring trip to Cheddar.

Who Are We?

The Bolting Rabbits are a group of friends united by an enjoyment of the pastime of clay pigeon shooting. We gather together every fortnight at the Dumbles Shooting Club in Coleshill and expend huge amounts of money and enthusiasm in pursuit of our chosen sport. Some times we hit a clay. Whatever the outcome of our efforts we enjoy our Sunday mornings and each other's company.
Our group consists of ten or so members.
Our revered senior member, mentor and most experienced shot is Max. Max is consistently the best shooter although sometimes his eyesight is brought into question. " I hit that didn't I ?" is a frequent query.
Jane is part of our youth policy. It will be noted that she stands out from the Uncle Alberts, Victor Meldrews and Albert Tatlocks in the line up. She is also our social secretary and does a great job in organising our away trips.
Steve Price is another of our more consistent shots but is often lured away by his passion for exotic birds; cage birds to be precise.
Pete is one of our most improved shooters having taken up the sport later than most of us.
Rae is our bionic man. He's had various bits of iron mongery inserted into his legs in the shape of hip, knee and ankle procedures. This gives him awesome stability as a shooting platform.
Steve F. is our joker, raconteur and gastronome. Known as "Three Pin" after his propensity for standing on plugs in his bare feet, his shooting motto is "Number 9s and a short barrel!"
Guy is another product of our youth development scheme. Nobody does it faster! You should see the way he whips his barrel through the target.
Phil is the man who can sleep anywhere on our away visits. He doesn't always remember how he got there but he's had no complaints. Another consistent shooter who occasionally pulls out the stops and wallops us.
Steve Benton is another good shot with a relaxed, laconic style. When fully concentrating a short odds contender for Top-Gun. His interest in dogs side tracks him in the same way as Steve P. In his case working gundogs.
Dave Burd. A member who puts in a good, steady performance. Doesn't shoot with us as much as we, or he would like but a valued member of the squad.
Finally me, Al.
Steady, unspectacular at shooting with the occasional high point. Six foot-one of whiplash steel with a physique of which Foggy Dewhirst would have been proud.
That's us, the Bolting Rabbits.