It was frosty, it was fresh and at times it was frenetic but that did little to stop a busy opening weekend of 2021 at Ayre Clay Target Club.

Glyn Hooson-Owen and Paul Mihailovits were the individual winners as the Penketh Millar Handicap Trophy took centre stage over 100 English Skeet birds.

With the first 50 birds doubling up as the latest round of the winter league, Hooson-Owen’s first two rounds of 44 set him on his way to comprehensive success in the handicap event as he finished 14 shots clear of his nearest rival.

There’s no doubt who is proving the number one English Skeet shooter right now though, and that is Mihailovits as he won the league shoot for the third time in four attempts since the winter season began.

His 49 out of 50 just pipped father and son Dave and Bob Corlett into second spot.

Results: Penketh Millar Handicap Trophy 1, Glyn Hooson-Owen 122; 2, Will Rand 108; 3, Tony Gibbons 103.

English Skeet league: Class A 1, Paul Mihailovits 49; 2=, Bob Corlett & Dave Corlett 48. Class B 1, Jamie Hancox 41. Class C 1, Will Rand 45; 2, Glyn Hooson-Owen 44; 3, Stephen Rand 37.

A handful of shooters also blew the cobwebs away by competing in a fun New Year’s Day super sport shoot - a challenging combination of pro sporting, sport trap and sporting.

Seasoned marksmen Kevin Oates, Neil Parsons and Marty Kneen all tied for first place on 37, with Nigel Moffatt just behind on 35.

The club is planning to introduce the new discipline in time for the 2021 summer season.

l Would all members note that, as a consequence of the latest government restrictions, the club will be closed with immediate effect for a three-week period, with a review at that time (after January 26).

The annual general meeting is postponed and notice will be given when it can rearranged.

JAMES DAVIS