A gamekeeper from Norfolk has been crowned the sharpest -shooting gamekeeper in a national competition organised by the UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC).
Jonathan Balls came first in BASC’s Gamekeepers’ National Clay Shoot Final, which was held at the association’s Gamekeepers’ Fair at Catton Park, Derbyshire, on Sunday (18th April). He was awarded a trophy, silver salver and £75 prize.
Nick Beavis, from Cheshire, took second place in the competition, winning a silver salver and £50. Lee Summers from Dyfed, Wales, came third after a shoot-off with student qualifier Kieran Budd from Sussex, who won his place in the competiton after he secured one of the top three places in BASC’s Gamekeeping College Challenge last month. Mr Summers was awarded a salver and £25.
The competitors in Sunday’s final qualified in a number of clay pigeon shoot qualifiers which were held around the UK last month.
Tom Blades, BASC’s head of game and gamekeeping, said: “The clay shoot final was a good competition and the fine weather was a bonus. This was the first final to include student qualifiers from the BASC Gamekeeping College Challenge. Thanks must go to Andy Harrison of Broad Oak events and all his staff for allowing us to use the facilities and for putting on a challenging layout.”
ENDS
Pictured is Tom Blades (left) with Jonathan Balls (right).