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Bathurst Rifle Club Inc 30 August 2014 W & J Brown Shield, 6/700yards

          The run of mild weather continued with the conditions predominantly from the south east with Mount Panorama shielding the range from the excess breeze. The lazy mirage did not add much to the difficulty but the subtle changes in the direction of the breeze was sufficient to hold scores in check. 

          Steve Williams returned to local competition after a less than successful trip to the QRA Queens prize meeting in Brisbane but he left his bad form and bad luck in Queensland to outshine the rest of the field over the twin distances of 600 and 700 yards. Whilst unable to go clear on either range he dropped just one point in each stage to snatch the Cock of the Walk from the front running Gordon Shepherd with a total of 98.05. Shepherd started well and finished the six hundred range with a flourish completing the possible with an impressive seven centre bulls eyes. Graeme Bright however had a less than successful 600, dropping three points for a 47.02. 

          The positions were reversed at 700 yards with Bright laying on a 50.02 possible but Shepherd succumbed as the light faded and his effort of 47.03 was a disappointment after his brilliant first stage. It was a case of consistency over brilliance for Williams. The B grade competition was again clear cut with Dennis Lavelle abandoning his .308 rifles and returning to the smaller .223 calibre. After Lavelle's 48.03 six hundred yard score, John Coghill and Ron Gibson were unable to keep in touch, too many inner fours and the occasional magpie three creeping onto their scorecards. Despite Lavelle suffering a second stage letdown the pressure was too much with both Coghill and Gibson unable to bridge the gap, gifting the COW to Lavelle. 

          With all the Bathurst F class shooters absent for one reason or another, the Lyndhurst pair of Greg Emms and Bruce Rowlands continued their love affair with the Bathurst Rifle Range. Conceding that conditions at the Bathurst range makes it one of the more difficult ranges to shoot at they again found enough trouble to confirm their fears. Emms made a better fist of the 700 yard distance but neither shooter was happy with their efforts. 

          The B Gurdon Cup and A. Pratley Shield will conclude next week over 800 and 900 yards. 

Scores:
S Williams TRA 98.05 (1 ¼) 99 ¼
G Bright TRA 97.04 (2) 99
D Lavelle TRB 93.08 (5 ¾) 98 ¾
G Shepherd TRA 97.10 (1 ½) 98 ½
R Gibson TRB 90.06 (7) 97
J Coghill TRB 90.05 (5 ¾) 95 ¾
G Emms (Lynd) FSA 113.8
B Rowlands (Lynd) FSA 110.5