Speedway 2023 A & B Finals
Results
After an exciting day’s shooting at the Balerno & Currie range on Sunday 5th March, Richard Simpson of Greenock and District emerged victorious to retain the “Bill Dick Memorial Trophy”.
Richard Simpson receiving the Bill Dick Memorial Trophy
The sixteen leading scorers from the postal stage qualified to take part in the finals. With several of these unable to attend the final - all for justifiable reasons - two reserves were called in and on the day thirteen competitors took part in the event.
On the basis of sixteen competitors, each participant fires five matches of 20 shots at 25yds. Each match against three different competitors, with points awarded according to placings in each match.
In this case three sets of “bogey scores” were introduced to simulate a full quota of sixteen finalists. As the match progressed the finalists were sorted in order of cumulative points achieved.
For most of the day the outcome was far from clear as, at one stage, four shooters tied for the lead on 15 points.
There was a fascinating ebb and flow of results with Alan Gordon and Gad Habiby battling for the lead for some time. It was apparent that while some competitors started strongly and then found it more difficult, others built on a slower start to finish well.
Consistency was the order of the day, and Richard completed his final card holding an unassailable lead with the final group of competitors still to shoot twenty shots. In that final detail Gad Habiby scored maximum points, to finish just one point behind in second place! Results from the points table appear below.
I must thank Balerno and Currie Rifle Club for letting us enjoy the use of their wonderful ranges and clubroom, my assistants Janis Thomson (scorer) and especially Tom MacGregor (Range Officer) who kept everything running smoothly and to schedule.
I am also grateful for the advice from several present, with helpful hints on running Excel Spreadsheets! Finally, many thanks to all of the finalists who helped to make the day enjoyable for everyone, and made the competition so exciting to witness.
As previously advised, there were insufficient entries to justify running a “C & D” final. Congratulations are due to Neil McMillan. As the leading scorer in the C & D Postal stage, he is the winner – for the second time – of the “Boston Bowl”.
The top eight finalists in the A & B final qualify to shoot as members of the Scottish team in the postal match vs. North Island New Zealand at Denwood on March 26th – I wish them well, and Good Shooting!
Robin Thomson
Speedway Organiser