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Bathurst Rifle Club Inc 9th January 2016 R. L. Gilmour Esq. Cup, 300yards

            Saturday’s weather presented shooters with a golden opportunity to cement a top 300 yard score in their quest for Championship points. However as soon as the directional flags were deployed a quirky breeze and tricky mirage sprang to life. Even thus the conditions still seemed quite benign, but appearances were deceptive.

           Steve Williams and John Coghill both shot 48’s and both were lured into a 5 o’clock sinkhole which gobbled up two points apiece. Gordon Shepherd paid the penalty of a large group dropping two points whilst Darren Crimston put in a steady shoot in one of his rare appearances. Dennis Lavelle stumbled mid-stage and even with a 4 centre bull’s eye finish could not overcome his earlier lapses. Ron Gibson fitted his alternate rear sight but started poorly and finished with a second magpie 3 for just 41.01.

           The second stage was full of missed opportunities for all target rifle shooters leaving some angry, and some just perplexed. Gibson did a little better but couldn’t leave the magpies alone whilst Williams also toyed with the bird in a 47.03. Coghill was totally bamboozled by the wind and repeatedly jumped from side to side in an ugly 45.03 whilst Lavelle left his usual strong finishing form on the mound falling just short of the B grade total of 93.06 set by Coghill. Crimston produced a good steady 46.02 but he also fell short of a B grade win by a single centre bull’s eye. Shepherd with all before him produced the comedic highlight of the day. After a strong start Shepherd continued with a solid centre bull’s eye. Unfortunately it was two targets to the left of his aiming point. That brain-fade gifted Williams the A grade COW.

           F-class was a cake walk for perennial Club Champion Jeff Eppleston who totally dominated the proceedings with 118.10. He was just two minor lapses away from a perfect result. Grahame Willis was steady, shooting a pair of 56.2’s to hold off his brother, Geoff Willis, who again played with his suspect projectiles to his own detriment, a pair of 55.1’s being the best he could produce. Ben Wright had a first stage shocker but redeemed himself somewhat with a 57.02 second stage. Wagga Wagga visitor Ben Spannagle who is studying at CSU showed aptitude with the long rifle at his first attempt at target shooting scoring 99.2 in two even stages.

           The R L Gilmour Cup continues next week at 500 yards. 

Scores: 

J Coghill TRB 93.06 (8 ¾) 100

D Lavelle TRB 92.04 (8 ½) 100

B Wright FSB 108.2 (12) 100

J Eppleston FSA 118.10 (1 ¾) 99 ¾

D Crimston TRB 93.05 (5 ½) 98 ½

G P Willis FSA 112.4 (5 ½) 98

S Williams TRA 95.08 (2) 97

G S Willis FSA 110.2 (5 ¾) 96 ½

R Gibson TRB 84.02 (12) 96

G Shepherd TRA 90.02 (5 ½) 95 ½

B Spannagle FSB 99.2