Royal Berkshire Ultimate Pair: finals day

16th Feb 2016

Welcome to the finals day of The Royal Berkshire Shooting School Ultimate Pair.

With one of the biggest prizes in the world of clay shooting up for grabs, the Ultimate Pair is one of the most hotly contested and highly anticipated days in the shooting calendar.

The finalists all assembled in the Royal Berkshire grounds on a stunning (yet chilly) winter morning to put their trigger fingers to the test. Would anyone win the Firenze Red Range Rover Sport parked just yards away? They would need a score of at least 23/25 to win.

Read on for minute-by-minute updates of the finals as they happened:

1. Briefing in the lodge:

Getting a final few words of wisdom before the competition starts!

2. The finalists:

Here they all are - all of our Ultimate Pair finalists ready to begin.

3. Honorary round:

Mark Winser takes his place to shoot an honorary opening round. Mark was winner of last year's Stratstone Ultimate one, with a score 25 straight allowing him to claim a brand new Range Rover Autobiography!

4. Shooting underway:

The first three entrants take to the shoot and get their names on the leaderboard. Out in front is Chris on 13. Ben Scored a 9.

5.Top Marks:

Phil Marks was up next, scoring a fantastic 17 to go top in the early stages.

6. Fifth and Sixth finalists:

The next two finalists have their rounds. Will Thatcher has an admirable shoot scoring 16 to go second place.

More Photos

7. Half way:

We're half way through and Phil Marks still has the top spot with 17. Will anyone reach the required 23 to win the Range Rover Autobiography?

8. Connor's honours:

Connor Gorsuch is our youngest competitor for the day and has a great effort, scoring 15.

9. New leader:

A stunning shoot! John Heagren is now the one to beat with a high score of 19. There are only three more entrants for this year's Ultimate Pair.

10. Final shooter:

The Ultimate Pair is over for another year! Ed Solomons rounds off the morning's competition with a score of 15 - meaning John Heagren is the overall winner for this year. The Range Rover remains unclaimed, though the Rolex from David Duggan watches is still up for grabs…

11. Watch winner:

.. And is claimed by Phillip Smith with a fantastic score of 43/50! After all the excitement it's probably time for a sit down in the Lodge with a champagne reception and a hearty lunch.

12. Stratstone Ultimate Pair 2016:

The action is over for another year. Our winner John poses with the Range Rover Autobiography, which he still gets to drive for a weekend (or even possibly a Jaguar), in addition to a Land Rover experience day and a stay in the luxurious Luton Hoo Hotel. Congratulations!

Thanks to The Royal Berkshire Shooting School for a fantastic day.