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Bathurst Rifle Club Inc 23rd January 2016 R. L. Gilmour Esq. Cup, 600yards

            The Bathurst Rifle Club has again produced the winner of a major competition with reigning F-class Club Champion Jeff Eppleston winning the Metropolitan District Rifle Association (MDRA) Festival of Sydney (FOS) shoot at the Anzac Rifle Range at the weekend.

           Competitors had to withstand high winds and driving rain on the Saturday, and troubles with the electronic target systems all weekend. Eppleston, whilst not affected with target malfunctions to the same extent as others, had to dig deep to win the final two 800 metre ranges to achieve his success. Due to the weather and target problems, two ranges and the final 5 shootout were cancelled, leaving Eppleston one point clear of his nearest competitor. 

           On the local front a bare quorum of shooters turned up for the final range of the R L Gilmour Esq. Cup as the bulk of club members were in Sydney at the FOS A slightly overcast day produced a dull uneven light which played havoc with sighting, whilst the breeze, looping over the hills from the south-southwest and swirling around the stop butts on the SSAA range, was at times unreadable.

           Grahame Willis was the first to feel the pinch and he found it difficult to hold inside the centre ring as he jumped from side to side with the changeable breeze controlling his destiny. John Coghill was the next to feel the pain as he too flopped from side to side finally exploding with a wild magpie three to cap a forgettable shoot.

            Dennis Lavelle was behind the eight ball before he started as he presented with his .223 calibre rifle and light weight projectiles. As difficult as it was with the heavier .308 projectiles Lavelle found his light weight gear no match for the conditions.

            The second stage was quite a bit better for Coghill who, still having few clues as to the nuances of the breeze, managed to hold a large group just inside the bull’s eye ring for a 47.01. Willis also started well, but dropped 4 points in his last five shots for a repeat 55, but this time adding a super V. Lavelle had a significantly better second stage but he was up against the impossible handicap of light weight gear in tricky conditions.

            Willis won the R L Gilmour Cup taking possession of the cup from his brother Geoff who won this event last year. The J Wilde Memorial Trophy commences next week at 700 yards.

Scores: 

J Coghill TRB 90.01 (7 ¼) 97 ¼

G P Willis FSA 110.1 (5 ¼) 96

D Lavelle TRB 75.03 (11 ¾) 86 ¾