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Bathurst Rifle Club Inc 20th December 2014 T W Willman Trophy the 900yards

            There were not many happy shooters after the first stage of the club Championship finished at the 900 yard mound on Saturday. Of the first four ranges, there has been one washout and three days of difficult weather conditions. Saturday was perhaps the most difficult so far with a mirage which was impossible to read, changing sides constantly and at times with great rapidity. Coupled with the fact that the shoot was over 900 yards, the longest range at Bathurst, there were few winners as scores plunged to the depths and the centre of the target became a no go zone for most shooters. 

           Gordon Shepherd was the exception as he showed all his wiles of yesteryear to completely overrun the competition and win the A grade Cock of the Walk. Shepherd controlled his shoot compiling a 96.05, his only major blemish a magpie three late in his first stage. The only other competitor to show any form of control was Ron Gibson who despite shooting a magpie three in each stage held tight to shoot stages of 46.02 and 45.03, finishing in second place overall and winning the B grade COW. 

           The tale of woe was long and painful with an unusual number of outer twos or worse scored. John Coghill was the greatest contributor and the best that could be said of his shoot was that at least he didn't miss the target. He was not alone as the outer reaches were constantly peppered. Neither Jeff Eppleston nor Geoff Willis enthused over their shoots and showed they had as much idea as the target rifle group of countering the conditions. 

           Ben Wright tempted fate with his bush rifle and not surprisingly was unable to get near to a repeat of last weeks' excellent 700 yard shoot. The day really belonged to Shepherd and Gibson who at least were able to shoot up to their handicaps. Shepherd has emerged as a surprise challenger to 2014 Club Champion Steve Williams whilst Gibson and Dennis Lavelle are neck and neck for the B grade honours. Willis has a handy lead over current F class Champion Eppleston. 

           Next week, 27th December, is the N Rutherford Memorial trophy at 800 yards. 

Scores: 
R Gibson TRB 91.05 (11 ¾) 100
G Shepherd TRA 96.05 (5) 100
G S Willis FSA 109.8 (5) 95
J Eppleston FSA 105.0 (7 ¼) 93 ½
G Bright TRA 90.06 (3 ½) 93 ½
S Williams TRA 89.07 (3 ½) 92 ½
D Lavelle TRB 85.02 (6 ¾) 91 ¾
J Coghill TRB 74.02 (11 ½) 85 ½
B Wright FSB 88.1