in third place. Apart from the fact that our top pair didn’twin, we never did discover the overall results; like theabsence of Nigel’s trophy, this remains a mystery still!In the afternoon, we collected our score sheets for theSABU Championships starting the next day and undercoaches orders went to the 200m range to check zeros.One aspect of the SABU Meeting is the need to passthrough Weapons Control, which usually means a longqueue. However, as a special attraction for the team,mother nature ensured that while waiting we couldwitness a spectacular thunder storm. The same stormlater in the evening delayed a small group attending theRAF team’s party for over an hour while half inchhailstones rained down and the Bloemfontein roadsturned into rivers. The forecast indicated that morestorms would follow the next day and locals said (as isoften the case when tourists are in earshot) “It’s notusually like this at this time of the year!” These stormswere to herald a week of almost English weatherconditions except that the winds were frequently morechangeable than at home.Very early on Tuesday 30 March (6.15am) we left for therange and the SABU Opening Ceremony (The Raisingof the Flags) at 7.00am. After prayers and welcomes,national and provincial flags were raised after a specialparachuting event from a low-flying plane hovering inthreatening clouds during which the South African andother flags were carried by descending paratroopers. Wefired the Scottish Sword match (2 & 10 at 300m and 900m)in mixed rainy conditions; this first individual shoot isnot in the Grand. It was won by David Dodds with100.13; our top scorer was John Stevens with 98.08.During the afternoon, the first national and internationalteam events of the SABU meeting were held. Of primeimportance to England was the RSA International Matchagainst South Africa (2 & 15 at 800m and 900m) for teamsof 12, which we treated as a dress rehearsal for the laterProtea match. The South Africans gave notice of whatwe could expect and scored 1752.148 to our 1715.121.Our top scorer was Nigel Ball with 148.13, our only scorethat was actually above the South African average of 146.Again, as seen in the Western Cape, wind changes werecontinuously happening and both coaches and firers hadto react quickly.The SABU meeting is unusual in having almost two fulldays of team club matches prior to the start of the Grand.This enabled us to enter three English Twenty teams eachof one coach, acting as captain, plus six shooters. Thisprovided ideal training for each of our coaches andrespective target squads. On Wednesday 31 March inthe Hamilton Cup (Queen’s I conditions) Dom’s teamdid best with 621.59 (top scorers Alistair with 105.11 andJohn Stevens with 105.12) and came third toBaviaanspoort with 626.64 (ex 630). In the Rhodes Cup(2 & 10 at 800m and 900m) David Taylor’s team did bestwith 570.46 (top scorer Hamish with 99.11) but failed tomake the top three.All Fools’ Day beckoned us once again to the range for afinal team shoot, the Dewar Shield (2 & 10 at 300m and600m) and the start of the Grand after lunch. In theDewar, again Dom’s team was our best with 583.50 andcame third to Witwatersrand A with 586.46. The Grandstarted in the afternoon with the Free State Cup (Queen’sI conditions), which was won by Nick Mace from theChannel Islands with 105.13. Doug came second with105.10 and Chris was fourth with 105.8. After the day’sevents and back in Bloemfontein, we were treated to ademonstration by our Adjutant of how a fire engineshould be driven and our red van ended up betweentwo tanks on low loaders in the middle of what lookedlike a convoy of the entire South African defence force,complete with police outriders. However, they escapedwithout being locked up and did manage to find a placeto eat without bars on the window!Friday witnessed a continuation of the cooler, overcastweather experienced all week, with moderate to freshwinds. The competitions were the Dalrymple (2 & 10 at300m and 2 & 11 at 600m) won by Dave Lubbe with105.11 (our top scorer was Nigel Ball, fourth with 104.6),the Municipal (2 & 10 at 800m) won by H Gerber with50.4 (our top scorer was Hamish, 14th with 49.2), andthe Dave Smith (2 & 10 at 900m) shot with a rising windand won by Alex Langley of the Channel Islands teamwith 50.4 (our top scorer was Nigel Penn with 48.5). Thedaily aggregate was won by Hamish with 200.11.The next day was the start of the State President’s matchwith the First Stage (Queens I conditions) won by DavidDodds with 105.15. Our top scorer was Nigel Ball whocame 20th with 105.9. This was followed in the afternoonby the Kings Norton match (2 & 10 at 600m) won by APMoller with 50.5. Our top scorer was Jon Kent who came12th with 50.3. The final shoot was the Col R Bodley (2& 10 at 900m), which was won by Dom with 50.5 (werewe to see a trophy at last? . . . sadly no, this was missingat the Prizegiving!). Pete came eighth in the dailyaggregate, and David Taylor came second in Class B. Inthe evening we held a braai at the Palm Lodge, jointlywith the England Under 21 team. The Captain madepresentations to Eddie Stigant and Deon Burger who hadbeen particularly helpful to us both at the Cape and inpreparing for our visit during the previous 18 months.Eddie was to be our chief adversary since he captainedthe forthcoming South African Protea team.Sunday morning (at 6.00am again!) with the indomitableLucy in the lead, a game drive was undertaken (doesn’tshe ever sleep?) and then back home for breakfast witha late afternoon hunting party organised for a few selfstyledwhite hunters. George was to the fore herebagging at least one four-legged quarry for his host’spot.After over 18 months planning, we were now enteringthe final week of the tour and matches. Monday 5 Aprildawned with pleasantly and comparatively cool weather.The day started with the Jack Mitchley (2 & 10 at 300m)won by JH Grobler with 50.9. Susie (also 50.9) camesecond after a tie shoot. This was followed by thePresidents (2 & 10 at 600 and 800m) won by JG du Toitwith 99.10. Pete was fifth with 99.7. This was the last40
Dick Winney and Dave Taylor coach at 800 metres, Western Cape.All three coaches at 900 metres in the Protea Match.Our first view of the Cape Western Suites with Table Mountain.On Safari? Or is it the African Keystone Cops!With apologies to the Romans but they did provide England’s first real infrastructure!41
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