The House of Commons claimed victory in this year’s Lords v Commons clay shoot with the House of Lords missing out by just one point.
The narrow margin was a reversal of last year’s close result which saw BASC President Lord Dear’s Lords team win by the same measure.
Commons captain Bill Wiggin, MP for North Herefordshire, who was jubilant in lifting the cup, said: “It was great to welcome some new colleagues to the contest this year. More MPs enjoying shooting of any discipline is good for our sport and we were, of course, delighted to win this year.
“We hope to lift the cup again next year and would like to thank BASC for organising a brilliant morning of competition.”
Illustrating how close the two teams were, the prized position of high gun was shared between House of Commons team member Craig Mackinlay, MP for South Thanet, and the House of Lords team member, Lord Garnier.
Lords captain and BASC President, Lord Dear, said: “The serious side to this highly enjoyable day is the promotion and preservation of shooting sports and I would like to thank BASC for their generous hospitality. I would like to congratulate the House of Commons team and look forward to next year and hopefully a win for the House of Lords.”
The event was held at the Holland & Holland shooting ground and sponsored by BASC and the Hampshire vineyard, Hambledon.
BASC’s political affairs manager Sophie Hutchinson said: “The high drama of Westminster was mirrored in the competition this year with the Commons winning by a whisker.”