Will Hewland
Well-known member
My first visit there today, for their ESP reg shoot. It has always been a bit off my radar just because its a bit further away than i normally need to go to find a good reg shoot, but circumstances worked in its favour for me today; not least that there was no rain in the larger Gloucester area. (Persisting down all day at home in the mid-south).
I met up with Gareth (Shortlegs) who is always good company and we set off looking for the easy stand. The terrain at Longridge is amazing (and I feel less guilty about moaning in regard to a shoot held in a flat field last week..). Hills, cuttings, rolling terrain, big trees, you name it. A great variety of targets (strangely no driven or rabbits) over 11 stands.
Unfortunately, my evil twin who cant shoot for sugar took over at the start (4 simple clays missed for no reason) and insisted on staying for the first half of the round. I think I was a bit overawed by the terrain and sheer newness of it all. After about 6 stands I was seriously looking at about 65%. Just what you want for your last shoot before moving to AA. Not.
Thankfully, there was a bit of a change of pace for the last half (stands 6 to 1 as we did it..) with some long high targets; which were kind of impressive in nature, but gave you a bit of time to plan the shots. I managed to dig deep and dropped 3 or 4 clays in the last 50 or so, rescuing a train-wreck of a start and hauling it up to 82, into nearly my average territory. Certainly enjoyed part 2 anyway! I dropped the last target on stand 4 to just avoid a 10/10 (which nobody had done at that point). Good to meet Rich Moreing on that stand. Sorry if i looked dazed by that stage..
So, a great ground, great targets, great cheese and tomato sandwich. Wish it was nearer but I will be back sometime.
I met up with Gareth (Shortlegs) who is always good company and we set off looking for the easy stand. The terrain at Longridge is amazing (and I feel less guilty about moaning in regard to a shoot held in a flat field last week..). Hills, cuttings, rolling terrain, big trees, you name it. A great variety of targets (strangely no driven or rabbits) over 11 stands.
Unfortunately, my evil twin who cant shoot for sugar took over at the start (4 simple clays missed for no reason) and insisted on staying for the first half of the round. I think I was a bit overawed by the terrain and sheer newness of it all. After about 6 stands I was seriously looking at about 65%. Just what you want for your last shoot before moving to AA. Not.
Thankfully, there was a bit of a change of pace for the last half (stands 6 to 1 as we did it..) with some long high targets; which were kind of impressive in nature, but gave you a bit of time to plan the shots. I managed to dig deep and dropped 3 or 4 clays in the last 50 or so, rescuing a train-wreck of a start and hauling it up to 82, into nearly my average territory. Certainly enjoyed part 2 anyway! I dropped the last target on stand 4 to just avoid a 10/10 (which nobody had done at that point). Good to meet Rich Moreing on that stand. Sorry if i looked dazed by that stage..
So, a great ground, great targets, great cheese and tomato sandwich. Wish it was nearer but I will be back sometime.
