News

             A typical summer's day greeted shooters on the 500 mound for the fifth stage of the Diggers and G James Cups. A mildly gusting west north-westerly breeze accompanied by a strong mirage was enough to try the best shooters, with the flags dropping off, picking up and even changing sides. 

             The day actually belonged to two shooters, one each from the Target Rifle and F Class disciplines. Graeme Bright who feels he won the 2015-16 Club Championship by default rather than ability is regaining the form of his halcyon days where he won numerous Club Championships and was always in the top echelon of shooters both at home and away.

             The other was Ben Wright who has only taken up target shooting in the past couple of years and has limited time to practice the art. Wright has travelled a little and has held his own in F Standard, B grade at country and interstate competitions. In his first shoot since having a new barrel fitted and reworked Wright took on State representatives and beat them at their own game.

 

             The A grade trio of Bright, Nick Cock and Gordon Shepherd cleared out from the pack all shooting 49's with Bright amassing 6 centre's. Darren Crimston, John Coghill and Ron Gibson all struggled, although Coghill started with a five on and 3 centre's before he fell apart in demoralizing fashion. In the second stage Bright strengthened his hold on the Cock of the Walk with a second 49 and a total of 10 centre bull's eyes as his competitors cracked. The same occurred in B grade with Gibson turning his first stage around with a 46.04 to take the win.

             The F-class competition was tight with Wright pipping Canada hopeful Jeff Eppleston by a super bull's eye, but Geoff Willis was left in their wake and Dennis Lavelle continues to struggle in his move to F-class. Again in the second stage Wright looked to be throttling his competition until a double inner finish saw him just scramble over the line for his first COW win by three super bull's eyes.

             Shane Barnsley used a WW2 .303 open sighted rifle, scoring 62/100 in the process, as he prepares for the likely introduction of Black Powder competition on the Mount.

             The 600 yard championship range next week will conclude the Diggers and G James Cups currently being lead by Bright and Coghill respectively.

G Shepherd TRA 97.06 (2 ¾) 99 ¾

G Bright TRA 98.10 (1 ¼) 99 ¼

N Cock TRA 97.07 (3/4) 97 ¾

B Wright FSB 111.7 (5 ¾) 97 ¼

R Gibson TRB 88.06 (9) 97

J Coghill TRB 85.04 (12) 97

J Eppleston FSA 111.4 (4 ¼) 96 ¼

G S Willis FSA 110.3 (4 ¼) 95 ¼

D Lavelle FSB 81.0

S Barnsley (0.303, open sight) 62.0

D Crimston TRB 44.01-Rtd.