There was stiff competition in both the “Charlie” competition and the Doggies and Moggies competition, as mateur shooters from across Cornwall gathered in Helston for two annual competitions.

The “Charlie” Competition is named after Charlie Batten, a member of the City of Truro Club, with the cup named in his honour.

He and his wife Julie, who have both dedicated a huge amount of time to shooters and shooting at international, national, county and club level, were on hand to present the trophy at the close of the competition, held at the Helston and District Rifle Club shooting range.

The competition was held over two stages – the first shot at each club’s own range, consisting of two ten bull targets, with the aggregate of the two shots taken as the total score.

Shooters were divided into four classes, depending on their current shooting average, with the top five in each class invited to shoot in the final at Helston.

This consisted of three ten bull targets, with all five finalists in each class shooting shoulder to shoulder. The winner of each class received a county gold medal, with silver for the runner up and bronze for the third-placed shooters.

Overall top score on the day, regardless of the class, saw the shooter receive the “Charlie” Cup, which is kept for one year. This went to Doug Kernick of Penzance and St Ives, with an aggregate of 298.

Run concurrently with this competition were the ladies’, junior and veterans competitions, with the top three in each invited to shoot at the finals.

Each of these categories also saw gold, silver and bronze county medals presented.

The Doggies and Moggies Competition was held for junior shooters under the age of 21 and takes place at the start of the winter season each year. It is named after the pet food store that first donated the cup.

It was also shot over two stages, with the first once again shot at the own club range, at 15 yards, 20 yards or 25 yards distances. Two targets were shot in “normal” – or “deliberate” shooting time and two with a time limit, of ten shoots in 90 seconds per target.

The top five shooters were then invited to take part in the final at Helston, where two targets were deliberate and two time-limited. There was also one “skirmisher” target with eight egg-like shapes that have to be shot as many times as possible in 60 seconds, with the final shot shoulder to shoulder.

The winner received the cup, that they will now keep for one year, and a county silver spoon, with the runner up presented with a silver medal and third, fourth and fifth-placed shooters awarded bronze medals by the owner of the Doggies and Moggies Group.

The top score was from Miss S Lenney, of Truro, with an aggregate of 389.

Results: “Charlie” Final Class A: 1, D Kernick, Penzance and St Ives; 2, Mrs J Lawrence, Hayle; 3, G Matta, St Austell; 4, J Hancock, City of Truro; 5, TW Curnow, Helston. Class B: 1, R Pascoe, City of Truro; 2, Miss S Lenney, City of Truro; 3, K Spalek, Penzance and St Ives; 4, Miss MJ Briggs, Helston. Class C: 1, B Wilton, Bodmin; 2, J Harvey, Bodmin; 3, PJ Osborne, Penzance and St Ives; 4, S Lenney, City of Truro; 5, G Davies, City of Truro. Class D: 1, M Schopman, Liskeard; 2, H Haward, City of Truro; 3, L Sayers, Liskeard; 4, Mrs D Renton, Liskeard; 5, J Herrington, Helston. Ladies: 1, Mrs JM Hibbitt, Helston; 2, Mrs J Lawrence, Hayle; 3, Miss MJ Briggs, Helston. Juniors: 1, Miss S Lenney, City of Truro; 2, M Hurst, Helston; 3, J Herrington, Helston. Veterans: 1, D Kernick, Penzance and St Ives; 2, G Matta, St Austell; 3, TW Curnow, Helston.

Doggies and Moggies: 1, Miss S Lenne, Truro; 2, J Herrington, Helston; 3, M Hurst, Helston; 4, J Head, Helston.

Falmouth Packet:

Falmouth Packet:

Falmouth Packet: