News

             The rifle range was engulfed in the confluence of two weather systems which produced a turbulent couple of hours. Winds came from every angle and at times the seven directional flags arrayed down the range all pointed in different directions. It was little wonder that the few who bothered to turn up on Christmas Eve hoping for an early Christmas present went home with their tails between their legs.

             Graeme Bright was the only half satisfied shooter as his resurgence continues. Bright's two stages were marred by five inner fours but he managed to keep most of his shots contained in the bull's eye ring and with five centre bull's eyes he more than doubled everyone else on that front. The 95.05 score may not be an eventual keeper but it is already one point ahead of his first effort and qualifies him at the 700 yard range.

             John Coghill shot more birds than he has ever done in a single stage with four magpie threes colouring his score card which ended at a dismal 39.0. Coghill's second stage was somewhat tighter with only one magpie and two bull's eyes for the magnificent score of 41.0.

             The major weather disturbance struck the final two shooters who just happened to be 2016 Australian Palma Rifle Team member Nick Cock and F class State Team representative and Coach of the FTR team to Canada in July 2017, Geoff Willis. All their skill, experience and knowledge, was no match for the conditions which they encountered. Both had poor first stages Cock stringing inner fours together like a daisy chain with only one centre bull's eye and Willis dropped four points in his last 3 shots without a single super bull to boast about.

             Their second stages were conducted in the centre of the maelstrom. Cock who hasn't shot a magpie since joining Bathurst RC twelve months ago added one to his four inner fours and Willis shot four inner fours (the F class equivalent of a TR magpie) and a handful of bull's eyes with just one centre bull's eye six. Needless to say they will not be keeping those scores for the Club Championship.

 

             Bright won the W Northcott trophy in a canter.

             Next week, 31 December, will be the Norman Rutherford Memorial Trophy at 800 yards.

G Bright TRA 95.05 (3 ¼) 98 ¼

J Coghill TRB 80.0 (12) 92

G S Willis FSA 100.0 (10 ¼) 92

N Cock TRA 89.02 (1 ¼) 90 ¼