Although 2024 has not been a vintage year for the Old Marlburian Rifle Club, with no team successes, the same cannot be said on an individual level, where a number of OMs excelled both nationally and internationally.

Charles Brooks (PR 1969-74) was the captain, with David Richards (B3 1972-76) as his vice-captain, of the Great Britain Veterans team at the World Championships in South Africa in March, securing silver medals behind a very strong Australia Veterans team.

Bill Richards (C1 1977-79) was the main coach of the Great Britain Palma team at the same championships, where the team dropped a remarkable 32 points out of 7,200, only to be beaten by the Australian team, who dropped only 28, breaking every record for the World Championships.

Meanwhile, David White (B3 1977-81) has continued to excel in smallbore and has been appointed captain of the Great Britain Wakefield 50m team. He represented England in the inter-services match, shot for Great Britain in the International Dewar match against the United States and was the fourth highest score and, almost in passing, was Sussex county indoor champion!

In July, Ed Jeens (BH 1998-2003), attending his first full Imperial Meeting for a number of years, led the Grand Aggregate until the final day of competition, before just slipping back to fourth place; his was the highest placing by an OM in recent times.

Also in the Imperial Meeting, Bill Richards followed in the footsteps of his brother, David, and Charles Brooks to captain Great Britain to victory in the Kolapore Match.

We were also delighted to welcome a number of OMs returning to shoot for the first time at the PS Veterans match in July, including Frank Gardner (LI 1974-79), who was top-scorer for the D team. Shooting is one of the few sports where OMs, who maybe only shot at the College, can come back 20 or 30 years later and participate in events (all equipment required can be provided) and be competitive.

Bill Richards (C1 1977-79)
OMRC.secretary@gmail.com