The First STS Benchrest Open Meeting
Results
The Range Set Up for the 2026 Benchrest Open Meeting
The inaugural STS Benchrest Open meeting was held on the Alloa & District Rifle Club outdoor range on Saturday and Sunday 12th and 13th September.
The initial idea for this event was mooted by Stephen Donegan. He approached STS early in the spring of this year to find out whether STS would be willing or able to support such an event.
During an exchange of ideas, it became apparent that we were looking at two differing disciplines . My experience being with 0.22 rimfire “NSRA” rules events, and Stephen having experience of “Sub 12” Air Rifle “WRABF” rules. It was decided that we would investigate the practicality and possibility of holding a hybrid event with Rimfire shooting at 50 metres, and Air Rifle at 25 metres alongside each other.
Alloa & District were generous enough to let us have the use of their outdoor facility, with Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September dates chosen for the event.
Looking back at the covered firing points from the 25m targets
On Saturday we ran a training day in order to test the set up (new target frames and holders were constructed for both disciplines and multiple types of benches were obtained, or borrowed from as far away as Carlisle, to fill the twelve firing points) and to invite competitors to zero in their rifles and familiarise themselves with the range.
This was a very relaxed, sociable occasion and the groups from each discipline enjoyed discussing the similarities and differences between their approach to benchrest shooting.
On the training day the wind was at times very blustery and challenging, as evidenced by the many wind indicators placed on the 25-metre range. Sunday was much calmer, although lighting conditions did change considerably at times.
On Sunday (competition day) there were twenty-two participants: 10 shooting to NSRA Rules (2 of whom shot the NSRA 25 metre targets with their air rifles) and 12 shooting to WRABF “World Rules”. There are many points of difference between the two rules, the main one being that WRABF allow the rifle stock to sit on a rear rest, as well as the front rest. Under NSRA rules, the back end of the rifle must rest on the shooters “free” hand.
The range of equipment on display was fascinating, and there was much discussion around the rules applied in each case.
On the range competitors included all abilities from novice to some very experienced and skilled shooters. They all stuck well to the task and within the groups there was some close competition.
Tracking and keeping a close eye on the results
When all was done, and the last target scored, the medallists were: :
WRABF Rules: -
Gold Medal: Stephen Donegan
Silver Medal: Rob Robertson
Bronze Medal: Colin Williamson,
All three medallists are from the Dechmont Club.
NSRA Rules: -
Gold Medal: Gillian Travers, from Lanark
Silver Medal: James Swan, Dunfermline Rifle Club
Bronze Medal: Robin Thomson, Watsonian Rifle Club
Junior
The leading junior was Chloe Matheson, who was awarded a Gold Medal
Left : Stephen Donegan winner of the WRABF rules competition
Right : Robin Thomson who presented the prizes
Centre : Gillian Travers won the Gold Medal in the NSRA rules competition - you can see she is very happy about winning!
Left : Stephen Donegan
right : Robin Thomson
Centre : Chloe Matheson winner of the Junior category
Left :Stephen Donegan
Right : Robin Thomson
There was a general view that the weekend had been a great success. People enjoyed the competition and getting together with the different cultures apparent between the two sets of rules.
There was a strong sense amongst those gathered on the range that this event could easily expand into something bigger in the future.
All the Wonderful Competitors
Thank You!
I have to thank everyone who attended for the cheerful, open-minded way in which they approached the event. We adapted some of our plans following feedback on the training day, but everyone accepted that some parts of the process were not, perhaps, in line with usual practice for their discipline. There were many learning points to consider before the next event.
Thank you to Stephen for coming up with the idea, contributing greatly to the advertising of the event and to preparation for it. He built the 25-metre target stands especially for this event.Stephen was also Range Officer throughout the day – until he managed to shoot his own cards in the afternoon.
Thank you to the Alloa & District Rifle Club : Kevin Russell and Robin Law were very supportive ahead of the event, and there was always one of them on the range to help out – Robin scored most of the rimfire cards on Sunday.
Thank you to Rob Robertson for scoring all of the WRABF Cards, and generally assisting on the range.
Thank you too, to the Alloa catering team, who kept us well fed and watered through the weekend.
Finally: Many thanks to every competitor. This really was an enjoyable experience, worth repeating!
Robin Thomson
STS Events Committee Member