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The Bathurst RSL/ Kenny Spring Solicitors 2009 Annual Open Prize Meeting

          The close proximity to the NSWRA Queens caused some trepidation as to the numbers who would actually turn out for the local Prize meeting. However despite city shooter drought, the Western, Central Western and Blue mountains clubs were well represented with the cream of those clubs putting on an outstanding exhibition of rifle shooting. The 35-shooter total was very gratifying.

          Lithgow's John Baxter won the event after being at the top of the list all day. A hiccup at the last 600-yard range saw Baxter; believing he had blown his chance, pack his rifle away in preparation for the NSW Queens. In the top two all day he was one of only two going into the final range with an unblemished score card. Mark Bunt from Katoomba was the other but a 46.03 at 600 yards dropped him off the board.  Stages of 50.08 at both 300 and 500 yards set Baxter up for the win and despite his dropped shot at 600 yards and the fact that Rob Sweegers and Brett Bond both from the Lyndhust club were two of only 3 last range possibles his early scores carried the day. 

          B grade was a contest in two between Katoombas' Alexina Bunt and Bathursts' Dennis Lavelle with the pair swapping wins at the three ranges. Lavelle won both the 300 and 600 yard ranges but Bunt was more consistent and by virtue of a commanding 48.02, 500-yard score, was able to hold off Lavelle by a point

          Tim Robinson, a newcomer to rifle shooting, started with the Bathurst club just three months ago. Having shot without a coach only three times prior to this shoot he had an unbelievable introduction to full bore open competition. Despite being challenged by John Middenway from Fashions Mount who won the 300 yard range and club mate Jan Sibera who finished second on all three ranges Robinson, using the clubs second hand rifle and other borrowed gear just got better as the day wore on eventually winning C grade by 5 points. The win took him past tyro, past C grade, and firmly into B grade in his first competition shoot. 

          F class saw John Peters from the Cessnock club, a regular visitor to the Bathurst shoot, win a very tight competition despite not winning a single range. Peters like Baxter before him thought he had blown his chance with a 55/60 last stage but his three challengers, Dave Grayson, Lithgow, Jeff Gates, Katoomba, and Bob Eager, Goulburn, could only match his stage leaving him a 2 point winner        

          The teams competition was also very close with some of the best shooters west of the blue mountains going head to head. Lyndhurst represented by Rob Sweegers, Brett Bond and Les Fraser saw off the challenge from Lithgows' John Baxter, Bernie Doohan, and Nick Cock by the narrow margin of just 4 central bulls eyes.        

          Life Membership Awarded to Roger Northcott

          At the conclusion of the shooting awards Blue Mountains District Rifle Association President Bernie Doohan presented a Life Member Medallion to Roger Northcott as appreciation for many decades of service to the BMDRA and associated rifle clubs. Northcott who started full bore rifle shooting as a teenager holds the record for the most number of Club Champion Medals (14) and has held every off rifle trophy at the Bathurst Rifle Club at one time or another. He is the winner of many Queens Prize medals and Open Championships.

Prize Meeting Scores: 

A grade

300 yards

Mark Bunt             50.08

John Baxter           50.08

Diane Collings      50.06

500 yards

Steve Williams      50.08

John Baxter           50.08

Rob Sweegers       50.06

600yards

Rob Sweegers        50.04

Brett Bond              50.03

John Krill                50.03

B grade

300 yards

Dennis Lavelle      47.04

Alexina Bunt         47.04

Ron Gibson           44.00

500 yards

Alexina Bunt         48.02

Paul Kelly              46.04

Dennis Lavelle      46.02

600 yards 

Dennis Lavelle      48.03

Alexina Bunt         47.01

Ron Gibson           44.00

C grade 

300 yards

John Middenway     48.02

Jan Sibera                47.03

Tim Robinson           47.03

500 yards

Tim Robinson          47.02

Jan Sibera                46.02

Roland van Soest    44.02

600 yards

Tim Robinson         48.04

Jan Sibera               44.04

Roland van Soest    44.00

F Class

300 yards

Bob Eager              60 

John Peters            59 

Dave Grayson        57 

500 yards

Jeff Gates               59

John Peters            59

Dave Grayson        59

600 yards

Geoff Willis            56

Dave Grayson        55

Jeff Gates               55

Teams 

Lyndhurst           296.28

Lithgow              296.24