18th May 12 
Hot shots capped for Scotland
THREE CRACK shots from the area are set to captain Scotland in international clay pigeon shooting competition.
Ian Johnstone, Helen Coates and David McMath, who all train at a shooting ground north of Dumfries, have been chosen to fill the respective roles of veterans’ captain, ladies’ captain and juniors’ captain in the Scottish Down the Line teams.
Tom Coates, owner of Burntkettle Shooting Ground at Auldgirth, said: “The only captain we’ve not got from Dumfries is the seniors captain.
“They’re off to Ireland in three weeks to shoot the home international.”
Scotland’s ladies, juniors and veterans teams will each consist of five members, with 25 in the seniors team. Alison McGarva, who also shoots at Auldgirth, is first reserve for the women’s team.
Explaining how the local shooters won their prime roles, Tom said: “They’re all members of the Scottish Clay Target Association, and they travel the length and breadth of the country shooting at different selection shoots to achieve their best scores.”
Youngster David McMath, 14, began shooting just a year ago, while Tom’s wife Helen, 47, has only been shooting for just five years.
Thriller to be captaining the ladies’ team, Helen said: “I’m absolutely delighted, and it’s a great honour to be taking the team forward to Northern Ireland.
“I haven’t been shooting that long, but I’ve put a lot of work an effort in. I absolutely love my shooting, and I’m shooting every weekend somewhere up and down the country.”
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