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Bathurst Rifle Club 16th January 2010 The Gilmour Cup 500 yards

          The second round of the Gilmour Cup produced some exciting performances; none better than Tim Robinson who has been shooting full bore for less than one year. Robinson shot his first possible, a 50.05, and followed up with a 49.03 to push seasoned A grader, and former Club Champion Graeme Bright, right to the final shot.

          Robinson took out the handicap honours and the B grade COW and it appears that the new barrel fitted to the club rifle is finally allowing him to show his true potential. Bright had to pull out a big 50.07 to eclipse Robinson as the pair scooted away from the other contenders.

          Ron Gibson put it up to the leading pair with a 50.05 possible but was unable to sustain the effort as a double inner start ruined his second stage. Jan Sibera also did well with a 49.04 start but he too was unable to sustain his run. 

          Others to break the hoodoo of the 2010 seasons' windy start, were the F class pair Jeff Epplestons' 59/60 and Geoff Willis' 56/60. The best of the rest was Gordon Shepherd with 47.04.

          Whilst the wind was quite mild and didn't appear to present to many challenges a tricky component developed when the northwesterly breeze pushed up against the easterly thunderstorms. Changes of 2 to 4 points, and several reversals of wind direction, made for some hairy moments.

          Visitor John Clapham after being totally bamboozled by the wind in the first stage produced the first F class possible of the season in his 60/60, second dig. Eppleston, held firmly in the bulls eye and although he couldn't beat the wind shifts a second stage 56/60 was sufficient to hold off Geoff Willis who could only repeat his first stage score. Andrew Trevillion was steady with stages of 54 and 53. 

          Whilst all scores were generally improved on recent weeks the smaller targets are definitely having a profound effect on the overall results. 

          The race for the Gilmour Cup has developed into a tight affair with Gibson, Geoff Willis and Robinson all taking the maximum 200 handicap points into next weeks' final 600-yard range. Bright is just behind on 199 ¼ with Shepherd and Eppleston, each on 198 ½. 

          Several members will be attending the MDRA Festival of Sydney open prize meeting next weekend at Anzac Range.   

SCORES:

T Robinson 99.08 (7 ½) 100

J Sibera 96.06 (8) 100

R Gibson 97.07 (6) 100

Geoff Willis 112 (12) 100

A Trevillion 107 (15 ¾) 100

J Coghill 93.02 (7) 100

G Bright 99.12 (1/4) 99 ¼

J Eppleston 115 (3 ¼) 98 ½

G Shepherd 93.05 (5 ½) 98 ½

D Lavelle 86.03 (8 ½) 94 ½

Graham Willis 95 (16 ½) 93

K Redding 32.0; C New 30.0

J Clapham 109/120: