England rifle team’s goodwill tour concludes with thrilling Individual performances

…ahead of team showdown

The final day of the England rifle team’s goodwill tour delivered challenging conditions and outstanding performances as competitors took on the demanding 900- and 1000-yard ranges.
Strong, fast-switching winds greeted shooters from the outset, adding a dynamic layer of difficulty. While visiting marksmen from England are well accustomed to windy conditions at Bisley, the unpredictable nature of the gusts in Guyana tested even the most experienced competitors.

At the 900-yard range, most shooters posted scores in the low 40s. However, Matthew Blythe rose above the field to claim the gold medal with an impressive 49.5. He was closely followed by Martin Whicher, who secured silver with 49.2, and Matthew Keel, who earned bronze with 48.4. Guyana’s Dylan Fields led the local contingent with a solid 46.2, while Roberto Tewari (44.4) and Leo Romalho (44.2) also delivered commendable performances.
The 1000-yard event proved equally demanding. England Team Captain Phillip Chapman-Sheath captured gold with the top score of 46.3. Whicher continued his strong showing with 46.2 (including two Vs) to take silver, while Keel secured bronze with 45.3.
In the second day’s aggregate (900 and 1000 yards), Whicher emerged victorious with a combined score of 95.4. Keel placed second with 93.7, followed closely by Blythe with 93.6.
The Overall Individual Championship, which combined scores across all ranges, saw Blythe crowned champion with 234.14. Christopher Crabtree earned silver with 231.16, and Keel completed the podium with bronze at 231.12. Fields achieved an impressive sixth-place finish overall.
Focus now shifts to the highly-anticipated Team Match, which will be contested across distances from 300 to 1000 yards. The Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) team will compete against England Red and England White, with each team comprising eight shooters, a wind coach, and a plotter. Guyana will be aiming to deliver a strong performance against their English counterparts in what promises to be an exciting conclusion to the tour.