The House of Commons demonstrated its ascendancy over the House of Lords with a convincing win in the Lords v Commons clay shoot, organised by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation. Led by team captain Bill Wiggin MP, the Commons won by a wide margin to carry off the Holland and Holland Cup presented by Pol Roger Champagne.
The final score, based on the top three guns from each team, was 146/192 to the Commons and 114/192 to the Lords. Top gun for the day was Graham Brady MP who hit 52 clays out of 64.
The clay shoot, which happened at Holland and Holland, is an annual event and is sponsored by the gunmakers William Evans, Pol Roger Champagne and the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC).
Bill Wiggin MP said: “It was a hard-fought contest this year but the Commons finally drew ahead of the Lords and won. There is no political relevance in this but all those who took part were happy to highlight the magnificent sport of shooting which contributes so much to conservation and the rural economy”.
Lord Dear said;” We did our best but the Commons team shot very well and were too good for us. Many congratulations to them all, but….. we shall return!”
Picture shows the two teams, L-R: Mark Garnier MP, Lord Crathorne, Lord Brougham and Vaux, Karl McCartney MP, Lord Dear, Bill Wiggin MP, Scott Mann MP, Graham Brady MP, Mark Spencer MP, Lord Robathan.