The OM Rifle Club gathered at Bisley on the weekend of 28th September for its annual Gryphon Cup fixture, a much-anticipated event in the club’s calendar. This year’s shoot welcomed a new face to the ranks: Anna Yaud (6.11–15), who joined the club for her first experience of fullbore shooting.
Anna, a former member of the school shooting team, had never previously fired a 7.62mm rifle. Under the guidance of Matthew Kerfoot (SH.78-83), she quickly found her rhythm on the Short Siberia 100-yard range during Saturday’s practice session, showing promising consistency by the afternoon.
The competition itself was marked by strong performances and challenging conditions. While the 300 and 600-yard stages saw high scores across the board, the 900-yard shoot was disrupted by heavy drizzle and mist, rendering the targets virtually invisible through both sights and scopes, resulting in several competitors unable to complete the final stage.
Notably, Andy Symonds (5.78-83) recovered from a difficult morning to score 49.6 at 900 yards, while Edmund Blok (8.80-85) was on track for a perfect 50 until a final shot scored a Magpie 3 just as visibility collapsed. Based on the 300 and 600-yard scores alone, Tom Harrison (6.80-84) emerged as the overall winner with an impressive 83.11, followed by Matthew Kerfoot and Kenji Shermer (8.87-92).
Other standout performances included Matt Kerfoot’s 49/50 with two V bulls at 600 yards, and James Creed’s (7.80-84) consistent shooting across all distances.
The weekend concluded with a convivial dinner at the North London Rifle Club dining room, where members shared stories and celebrated the day’s achievements.
Results Summary (300 + 600 yds only):
- Winner: Tom Harrison – 83.11
- 2nd Place: Matt Kerfoot – 82.3
- 3rd Place: Kenji Shermer – 81.8
- 4th Place: James Glover – 81.5
Report by Andy Symonds (5.78–83)
