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Bathurst Rifle Club Inc The J Wilde Memorial and K Redding 8/900 yard Trophies 800yards 13th February 2016

800yards13th February 2016

            The longer ranges at the Bathurst Rifle Range over the summer months become quite problematic as the hot weather produces some of the most difficult shooting conditions with fishtail breezes, strong mirages and oppressive heat. 

           Whilst not at their worst, conditions on the 800 yard mound were nonetheless quite tricky. Competitors had to contend with a mirage which swapped sides and changed intensity in concert with the fickle breeze. Most shooters coped fairly well and there were some good steady performances, the best of them being Gordon Shepherd’s pair of 49’s with 9 centre bulls eyes, which won him the days Cock of the Walk. Graeme Bright challenged but fell short at the final hurdle whilst Nick Cock was behind the eight ball after an indifferent 47.05 first stage.

           Dennis Lavelle used a better batch of ammunition with good results taking out the B grade COW from an inconsistent Ron Gibson and Darren Crimston who retired after experiencing some rifle difficulties. 

           Jeff Eppleston pressed Geoff Willis all the way in F class but he suffered from a large group which left him three points in arrears of Willis’s total despite a superior super bulls eye count. Orange Rifle Club members Alister Kable and Garry Livingston escaped the heat of their new home range at Eugowra to try their hand at the Bathurst conditions. With the Orange Rifle Range now shut down some of the club members have relocated to Eugowra and some have dispersed to other clubs in the district.

           The J Wilde Memorial and the K Redding 8/900 yard trophies will conclude next week.

Scores: 

G Shepherd TRA 98.09 (1 ½) 99 ½

D Lavelle TRB 94.06 (5 ¼) 99 ¼

G S Willis FSA 115.6 (3 ¼) 98 ½

G Bright TRA 97.07 (1 ¼) 98 ¼

R Gibson TRB 88.0 (10) 98

N Cock TRA 96.08 (1/4) 96 ¼

J Eppleston FSA 112.9 (2 ¼) 95 ¼

A Kable (Oge) FSA 104.3

G Livingston (Oge) FSA 104.3

D Crimston TRB 35.01 Rtd

900 yards 20th February 2016

           If last weeks’ 800 yards range was difficult the extra 100 yards this week magnified the degree of difficulty tenfold and the result was a total meltdown with just two target rifle shooters bettering 90 and the best that the F class competitors could manage was Jeff Eppleston’s 106.3/120.

           To quantify the extent of the debacle, six outer two’s, nineteen magpie three’s and fifty six inner fours were recorded on the day, or to put it more succinctly 37% of counting shots failed to find the bulls eye ring.

           There was the odd good stage, Dennis Lavelle putting together the days’ top score which took him to a surprise win over all comers. Lavelle using the light weight .223 calibre rifle, did not give himself much chance against the higher rated performers with heavier calibers, considering the distance and weather conditions.

           Lavelle’s first stage started superbly but a wind change coming in the middle of target problems induced a run of three magpies which ruined his shoot. Not to be deterred Lavelle regrouped and slotted a 49.03 later in the day just missing his possible with a last shot inner four. The only other worthy shoot was Steve Williams’ second stage, 48.02.

           The F class contingent was no better with a measly eight super centres or just 10% of their shots falling in the X ring. Jeff Eppleston did best of the four competitors taking out the Cock of the Walk by three points but certainly not a keeper in the scheme of Championship points.

           The highlight or perhaps more correctly the lowlight of the day, apart from the mirth induced by the regular outers and magpies was John Coghill’s perfect pinpoint super bulls eye. After a wide magpie three Coghill moved 2 ½ points and slotted his redeemer only to find he had hit the wrong target. It was good night nurse from then on. Lavelle’s triumph gave him the days aggregate and the B grade COW with Williams wining the A grade, one centre bulls eye behind Lavelle. Lavelle won both the J Wilde Memorial and K Redding 8/900 yard trophies.

           Next week we will return to 300 yard mound for the start of the third round of the Club Championship and the W Cutler Cup. 

Scores:

D Lavelle TRB 92.05 (7) 99 

R Gibson TRB 89.05 (9 ¾) 98 ¾

J Eppleston FSA 106.3 (10 ¾) 97 ¾

S Williams TRA 92.04 (4 ¼) 96 ¼

G Bright TRA 89.09 (5 ¾) 94 ¾

B Wright FSB 97.2 (12) 90 ¾

G P Willis FSA 103.3 (5 ½) 90 ½

N Cock TRA 86.02 (1 ¾) 87 ¾

G Shepherd TRA 82.01 (4 ¾) 86 ¾

J Coghill TRB 74.0 (12) 86

A Kable (Oge) FSA 92.0