Triple Success for Oakham at Birmingham Bisley Competition
Oakham’s Fullbore Target Rifle team enjoyed another outstanding weekend of competition, returning from the Birmingham Bisley event at Kingsbury Range with a trio of impressive accolades, including two individual wins for Isla M and the Chairman’s Prize for Best Team.
Seven pupils represented the School in what was their first major competition of the season, following several training days at Bisley in Surrey over the Summer Term. The field was exceptionally strong, featuring county‑level shooters, two England representatives and at least two current GB team members.
Strong Start on Saturday
Saturday’s programme saw all competitors shooting shoulder‑to‑shoulder at 300m, 500m and 600m, firing 10 or 15 rounds at each distance. For newcomers Leo (Form 4) and Valentine (Form 6), it was a memorable debut, with both achieving personal bests; achievements they would go on to surpass again on Sunday.
By the end of day one, Isla M and Henry F (both Form 5) were leading the Oakham contingent, with Henry producing a superb score of 49 with 5 V‑Bulls at 500m.
A Standout Sunday for Isla M
Sunday brought even stronger performances across the board. Isla T and James (both Form 5) delivered steady, consistent shooting, while Henry and Isla remained separated by just a single point after the 300m stage.
At 500m, Isla M delivered one of the standout moments of the weekend, shooting a remarkable 50 (HPS) with 7 V‑Bulls, beaten only by a GB international. She continued her exceptional form at 600m, scoring 74/75 with 2 V‑Bulls.
Her consistency across the day earned her victory in both the Sunday Aggregate and the Best School Pupil category. In the Sunday Aggregate, she missed the Bull only twice and was edged out of first place overall solely on V‑Count, again by a GB international more than 40 years her senior.
Team Success
Oakham’s collective strength across the weekend was recognised with the Chairman’s Prize for Best Team, a testament to the pupils’ commitment, resilience and rapidly developing skill.
Reflecting on the weekend, Iain Reeves (Master in charge of shooting) praised the determination and talent shown by all seven pupils: “It’s weekends like this that make me truly appreciate how talented and resilient our pupils are.”
“We are grateful to the WFRA and Bromsgrove Rifle Club staff and range officers for allowing us entry into their event each year.”
This success comes just days after an Oakham School shooting team won the ‘Country Life’ Green Howards.22 Smallbore Shooting Competition.
