Stan on target for world titles brace
When it comes to shooting, Stan Stock's two smoking barrels take some beating, as the world's best clay pigeon shooters found out to their cost in Northumberland recently.
The clay pigeon specialist from Charnock Richard, near Chorley, was on top form as he claimed two world titles – picking up a gold medal in the process at the Down the Line World Championships.
And the 63-year-old haulier, who runs his own business from his home on Preston Road in the village, will now remain a world champion for at least two years.
The veteran gunman belied his age with a stunning shooting show, missing just two targets out of 300 at the event held at Bywell Shooting Ground in the North East.
He saw off competition from around the globe over the three-day event to bring a gold medal back home.
It was the first time the event had been held in England for more than 50 years, and Stan made capital of his relative 'home advantage'.
Stan, who started his business in Wrightington, near Wigan, but has been based in Charnock Richard for more than 30 years, was shooting in the B class.
He said: "I could have entered the Veteran class, but felt there were better shooters in that class and felt I had a better chance of success in the B class.
"As it was, my final score proved good enough to win both categories!"
Stan, who saw off shooters from as far afield as Australia, South Africa, and Sweden, gets in his practise at the A6 Clay Target Centre shooting club in Westhoughton, near Chorley.
And the hard work there stood Stan and his trusty perrazzi gun in good stead at international event which attracted more than 500 competitors. He scored well enough over the 250-target format to go through to the final round featuring 50 more targets.
And his final score of 298 from 300 'kills', and 885 from a possible 900 points, proved enough to take the title.
The next world title event is to be held in the Australian outback town of Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, in 2006.
And the titleholder has not yet ruled out the possibility of taking the trip Down Under.
Stan, described by his Westhoughton team-mates as a "larger than life character", added: "I've shot for England before, but that was some time ago.
"I was very pleased with the result and the title. And I would love to defend the title next time. But that's still quite a way off to plan for now."
© Percivals Caterers 2008