SEFTA Do It Again – Surviving Millride and the Four Seasons
SEFTA have only gone and done it again, lifting the Inter Regional Championships for the second consecutive year—this time by the narrowest of margins and with nerves well and truly shredded.
Proceedings got off to a flying start with the early shooters setting the tone. John Chopping and Dan Eley clearly decided that Millride’s legendary difficulty was just a suggestion, both calmly slotting in superb 35s. Not to be outdone, Jacob High followed up with a rock‑solid 34, keeping SEFTA firmly in the hunt as the weather began to realise it hadn’t yet caused enough chaos.
Then came the finale. With the wind swirling like it had personal grudges and the course refusing to offer even a hint of generosity, Andrew Shead stepped up as the last shooter. A composed 34 later and the job was done—SEFTA clinched the win by a single shot, sending calculators, scorecards and blood pressure levels into overdrive.
Behind the headline scores was a strong team effort. Phil Hudson’s 32 kept the total ticking along nicely, while Natalie Shead and David Ward both scored 31, proving that every target really did count on a day like this. Steve Carter got a 30 ensuring all our counting scores were 30 and over.
As for conditions? “Challenging” doesn’t quite cover it. The wind was nothing short of horrific, the weather delivered all four seasons in roughly two hours, and the course stubbornly refused to get any easier. Millride, the Midlands club infamous for its almost unreadable wind, once again lived up to its reputation and then some.
In short: a gritty performance, big scores under pressure, and another trophy heading home with SEFTA. Same result as last year—just with a bit more drama, a lot more wind, and possibly fewer dry socks.
Well done team SEFTA!!
Team members and scores:
Dave Purcell 27, John Chopping 35, Spencer Freeman 28 , Dan Eley 35, Nat Shead 31, Dave Croucher 25, Simon High 25, Steve Adams 26, Steve Carter 30, Jacob High 34, Phil Hudson 32, Andy Shead 34 Dave Ward 31