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[b]Bathurst Rifle Club Inc 27th October 2013 Annual Open Prize Meeting[/b]

    The Bathurst Rifle Club’s Annual Open Prize Meeting commenced on Sunday the 27th October under clear skies with little or no wind and shooters took full advantage of the benign conditions to post some excellent scores. In fact one F class shooter was heard to say that it would need a score of 180/180 to win the days aggregate and the first stage results seemed to bear out that comment. With six grades in the three disciplines all scores were consistently high.

    At the 500 yard first range in the Target Rifle A (TRA) group Kathryn Kent (Lyndhurst) edged out John Baxter (Lithgow)and Les Fraser (Lyndhurst) all scoring 50.07, Kent’s double centre finish , topping Baxter’s bull/centre, and Fraser’s double bull. TRB also saw a winning 50.04 possible for Ron Gibson (Bathurst) and in TRC Laura Brindley of Explorers Club won a closely fought contest.

    In the F-class disciplines Brett Bond (Lyndhurst) shot a 60.7 beating Darren Bradley (Griffith) by two super V’s in the A grade section whilst Bruce Rowlands (Lyndhurst) threatened his grade status taking B grade with a 60.4. F Open a new discipline at Bathurst was won by Keith Hills (Lyndhurst) counting out David Dobson (North Sydney) with a three super V finish against a centre and two supers.

    The move to the 600 yard mound seemed to stir something in the wind and before long a tale of woe filtered back to the office. As is the norm for the Bathurst range wind can be quite deadly in it’s changeability and the south westerly made conditions interesting. Score cards with inners and the occasional magpie or worse for TR shooters and strings of bull’s eyes and the more than occasional inner fours for F class shooters brought a smile to the faces of the old timers witnessing the carnage. 

    At the start of the first 600 yard range the possibles disappeared, not to be seen for the remainder of the day. With a little local knowledge Steve Williams (Bathurst) won the TRA grade with 49.04, Ian Barrett (Orange) took out TRB and Andrew Baker (Narromine-Dubbo) reversed the order on Brindley with a narrow TRC win.

    The F class contingent seemed to fare far worse than the TR group, Bond being the only FA shooter able to hold his head up after shooting 57.2. Rowlands however seemed to be immune from the wind changes shooting a class topping 59.2 to win FB and Jeff Eppleston (Bathurst) used all his local knowledge to grab a one point win in F open with 58.2

    The wind continued to gust and drop off quickly and the second 600 yards was perhaps the most difficult stage of the day. Nick Cock (Lithgow) won the TRA with 49.05 whilst Barrett continued his good run with a win in TRB shooting 47.03, Baker holding firm for a TRC win with a 44.01. 

    Mark Agar (Mudgee) won the FA grade counting out Greg Emms (Lyndhurst) both shooters scoring 56.0. Rowlands finally came undone with a lowly 53.2 but his opponents fared worse and he went through all ranges undefeated. Peter Duncan (West Wallsend) fared best of the F Open shooters with an excellent 59.1 but the dearth of Super V’s in all F class disciplines was testament to the difficulty presented by the fickle wind.

    The Bathurst Aggregate was a triumph for the ladies with Kathryn Kent taking out the trophy and prize money by five centre bulls’ eyes over John Baxter both scoring 146 in the TRA group. Ian Barrett was consistent taking two range wins in his march to the TRB aggregate trophy and Andrew Baker also showed better consistency to win the TRC section.

    FA grade turned into a cakewalk for Brett Bond who took out the aggregate trophy by a solid six points and Bruce Rowlands won the quadrella with three ranges and the FB aggregate trophy nicely in his pocket. Ben Ferrara won the inaugural Bathurst F Open trophy with a handy 173.11 

Scores:

Match 1 The Panorama 500 yards Target Rifle
A Grade Kathryn Kent Lyndhurst 50.07 B Grade Ron Gibson Bathurst 50.05 C Grade Laura Brindley Explorers 47.04

F Class Std A Grade Brett Bond Lyndhurst 60.7 B Grade Bruce Rowlands Lyndhurst 60.4

F Class Open Keith Hills Lyndhurst 60.8

Match 2 The Evans 600yards Target Rifle A Grade Steve Williams Bathurst 49.04 B Grade Ian Barrett Orange 48.04 C Grade Andrew Baker Narromine-Dubbo 44.03

F Class Std A Grade Brett Bond Lyndhurst 57.2
B Grade Bruce Rowlands Lyndhurst 59.2

F Class Open Jeff Eppleston Bathurst 58.2

Match 3 The Macquarie 600 yards Target Rifle A Grade Nick Cock Lithgow Small Arms 49.05 B Grade Ian Barrett Orange 47.03 C Grade Andrew Baker Narromine-Dubbo 44.01

F Class Std A Grade Mark Agar Mudgee 56.0 B Grade Bruce Rowlands Lyndhurst 53.2

F Class Open Peter Duncan West Wallsend 59.1

Match 4 The Bathurst Aggregate Target Rifle A Grade Kathryn Kent Lyndhurst 146.16 B Grade Ian Barrett Orange 142.08 C Grade Andrew Baker Narromine-Dubbo 134.05

F Class Std A Grade Brett Bond Lyndhurst 172.12 B Grade Bruce Rowlands Lyndhurst 172.8

F Class Open Ben Ferrara North Sydney 173.11

[b]Bathurst Rifle Club Inc 15th September 2013 Eppleston wins NSW Queens Again[/b]

Bathurst Rifle Club shooter Jeff Eppleston has won the Queens Prize F Standard A grade for the second consecutive year and Ron Gibson has finished second in Target Rifle C grade capping off a fine year for Bathurst Rifle Club shooters in 2013.  

Eppleston the 2013 NSW State Champion of Champions shot consistently over the three days and nine ranges. Eppleston was second after day one, sixth at the end of day two, before grabbing his chance at the 700 metres second last range with a magnificent 60.8 possible, winning the range and setting up his win. Epplestons’ total of 573.41 was four points ahead of another Central Tablelands shooter Brett Bond of the Lyndhurst Rifle Club who filled second place. Epplestons’ list of credits now stands at two Queens Prizes (NSWRA) one second (Canberra), and the 2013 NSWRA Champion of Champions in the last thirteen months. 

Gibson followed up his recent good club form with a fine second placing in the Target Rifle C grade division of the Queens prize. Gibson won the 700 metre range with a 58.03 and finished on 462.27 five points behind the winner Henry Armstrong of Sydney Grammar School Rifle Club but with the most centre bulls eyes in that division. 

The Willis brothers Geoff and Grahame had mixed fortunes but each won a range in the five days of competition, their scores so close that on several occasions they could only be separated on count back. Geoff won the first 300 metre range in the lead up event the McIntosh with 60.6 and Grahame the second 700 metre range on day two of the Queens with 58.3. Geoff was second in the two day McIntosh Aggregate with 441.19 just three points behind the winner Peter Drew from the Grafton Rifle Club on 444.17. 

 In local competition with just three competitors, the final competition the W & J Brown Consolation Trophy was won by Dennis Lavelle who has travelled the full range of disciplines this year and been virtually ineligible for any of the trophies. John Coghill took out the Cock of the Walk by a narrow margin. Last week’s trophies were the B Gurdon Cup won by Graeme Bright and the A. Pratley Shield won by Ron Gibson.

The Bathurst Rifle Range will be closed due to motor racing until the 26-27th October when the Clubs’ Annual Open Prize Meeting will be held. 

Scores: D Lavelle 94.06 (8 ¾) 100 J Coghill 95.06 (7) 100 L Sim (F) 96.3

[b]Bathurst Rifle Club Inc 7th September 2013 B Gurdon Cup & A Pratley Shield 8/900yards[/b]

 The B Gurdon Cup and A. Pratley Shield competition came to a windy conclusion on Saturday with the final two ranges of 800 and 900 yards completing the three weeks and six ranges of shooting.

  The wind predominantly from the west-northwest tended to flip up range at varying intervals with little warning from the directional flags which tended to lag behind the changes. The consequence was the occasional inner four or worse but the warm sunny weather made for a pleasant afternoons shooting which turned out to be a good warm up for the NSWRA Queens prize competition starting in Sydney this week.

 The current NSW Queens F-class champion and current State Champion of Champions Jeff Eppleston showed he is right on track to defend his title. The wind was a little bit wild and wooly in the first stage and scores were held in check but with the moderating conditions in the second stage Eppleston slotted the perfect 60/60 to take the F-class Cock of the Walk. Geoff Willis shot more consistently but finished one point adrift of Eppleston although Grahame Willis did not fare so well in the wind. All three are contesting the NSW Queens this week.

The target rifle group was not intimidated and in fact outshot the F-class contingent on handicap. Steve Williams who has been travelling the eastern seaboard chasing prize shoots in Queensland did best with a fat 48.01 first stage but tightened his group considerably for a second stage 49.05 and the COW. Ron Gibson continued his good form which bodes well for his tilt at the Queens but Graeme Bright was less than thrilled with his shoot which contained a couple of erratic episodes. 

Colin Willis, brother of the aforementioned Willis’s, rekindled his shooting past with a couple of stages of F-class and was pleased with his total of 109.3. Brent Macri took the .223 rifle for a run at the long ranges with some success to record 102.2 whilst Darren Crimston continued with the .308 rifle on bipod fitted with peep sights in preparation for his conversion to the full target rifle discipline.

 The W & J Brown Consolation Trophy the final competition for 2013 will be held next Saturday 14th September on the 600 yard mound. 

Scores: S Williams 97.06 (3) 100 R Gibson 94.06 (4 ¼ 98 ¼ G S Willis (F) 113.5 (4 ¼) 97 ¾ J Eppleston (F) 114.5 (2 ½) 97 G Bright 92.06 (3 ½) 95 ½ G P Willis (F) 106.2 (5) 92 ½ C Willis (F) 109.3 B Macri (F) 102.2 D Crimston (F) 101.3

[b]Bathurst Rifle Club Inc 31st August 2013 B Gurdon Cup & A Pratley Shield 6/700yards[/b]

 The second round of the B Gurdon Cup and A. Pratley Shield competition continued the education of new shooters Julian Phillips and Darren Crimston with both gaining valuable experience at the varying distances and breezy conditions.

 The day was relatively warm and the breeze predominantly from the south west although subtle variations in direction were enough to keep most competitors guessing and mistakes came at regular intervals. In fact only Grahame Willis mastered the conditions and his 119.8/120, including a 60.3 second stage possible, was far and away the best shoot of the day.

Willis and daughter Liz shot at Goulburn last week where they excelled, finishing at the top of the local competition. Willis shot a 119.7 and Liz Willis 116.7 both shooter s displaying the depth of talent in the F-class ranks at the Bathurst Rifle Club. Willis’s second 119/120 in consecutive weeks is a perfect warm up for the NSWRA Queens Prize Competition starting in Sydney in a little over one week.

The bulk of the competitors did little to enthuse about with only Graeme Bright and Steve Williams displaying any understanding of the subtleties of the wind and mirage. Both scored 49.01 first stages but were less successful in their second attempts, Bright dropping three points and Williams five, leaving Bright a clear Cock of the Walk winner.

Geoff Willis was also off targe, his second stage 53.0 was amongst his worst stages of recent weeks. Darren Crimston who is shooting on a rest and through peep sights in the F-class category is gaining valuable experience for when he changes fully to target rifle. Crimston’s group, particularly his second stage was very tight. Julian Phillips again shot very well with the .223 calibre rifle in his first attempt at the longer distances. His first stage 50.1 at 600 yards was tight and even at 700 yards the 48.1 which contained five skinny inner fours was commendable.

Mal Wright set up his bench and fired a 700 yard stage of 55.3 to sight in some ammunition whilst John Coghill struggled all day managing just 88.03.

The B Gurdon Cup and the A Pratley Shield will conclude next week over the 8/900 yard ranges.   

Scores: G P Willis (F) 119.8 (5) 100 G Bright 96.03 (3 ½) 99 ½ S Williams 94.02 (2 ¼) 96 ¼ J Coghill 88.03 (7 ¾) 95 ¾ G S Willis (F) 110.3 (4 ¼) 95 ¼ D Crimston (F) 102.1 J Phillips (F) 98.1 M Wright (F) 55.3

[b]Bathurst Rifle Club Inc 24th August 2013 B Gurdon Cup & A Pratley Shield 3/500yards[/b]

Saturdays B Gurdon Cup and A Pratley shield competition was more about the introduction, supervision and coaching of shooters new to target rifle than the trophies themselves. Julian Phillips, Steve Pelin and Darren Crimston are not new to shooting but have had little experience in the intricacies of open range target shooting.

Using a variety of makes and calibres all excelled on a mild sunny day with gentle breezes but enough variation in the conditions to demonstrate the challenges faced by target shooters.

Phillips used the club’s 5.56mm scoped rifle and immediately showed he was at home on the mound. At 300 yards almost from the start he accumulated centres and X’s finishing with 56.4 and then followed up with a 55.3 at 500 yards. An untidy start was the only down side to his shoot as he finished with three X’s and two centres; overall an exciting introduction to the sport.

Steve Pelin used his own rifle and ammunition and showed his potential with a steady shoot at both ranges using ammunition with light projectiles. With scores of 52.0 and 50.1 he was competitive and can go forward in great leaps with more suitable ammunition.

Darren Crimston has had a few weeks acclimatizing to the sport and tried both the 5.56 and 7.62 calibres. New to the smaller caliber and the 300 yard range it took some time to get a group but once that was achieved he finished well. Using the more familiar 7.62 at 500 yards his group was excellent finishing with a pair of X’s.

The trophies were an anticlimax with only one qualifier for each trophy. Graeme Bright took out the first leg of the B Gurdon Cup with a moderate 94.05 and Ron Gibson the first leg of the A Pratley Shield with an average 91.04.

In F class Jeff Eppleston fresh from a barramundi fishing trip to the Gulf showed his shooting was better than his fishing with an almost perfect 119.11, anchored by a 60.5 first stage possible. Geoff Willis who rushed to the range straight from work didn’t settle in his first stage 56.5 and was unhappy with his ammunition despite a 60.1 second stage possible.

The B Gurdon Cup and the A Pratley Shield will continue next week over the 6/700 yard ranges.   

Scores:
J Eppleston (F) 119.11 (3) 100 G S Willis (F) 116.3 (4 ¼) 100 G Bright 94.05 (3 ¼) 97 ¼ R Gibson 91.04 (4 ¾) 95 ¾ J Phillips (F) 111.7 S Pelin (F) 102.1 D Crimston (F) 95.2