Mansfield Clay Target Club
By MARTY MCLACHLAN
THE monthly Mansfield Clay Target Club shoot was held on Sunday in sunny and calm conditions.
Competitors included club representatives from Alexandra, Benalla, Euroa, Cobram, Wangaratta, Woods Point, Melbourne, Cosgrove, Frankston, Wagga and Bendigo.
The event was the Neil Walsh Memorial which included a 50 Target Double Barrel Championship followed by a 50 Target Point Score Championship, sponsored by Nicholas Kirley and the Walsh family.
The first event was the 50 target Double Barrel with the overall prize taken out with only one shooter returning a perfect score, Mitchell Iles from Melbourne Gun Club.
AA grade: second with 49 was Woods Point Daniel Chinn.
A grade: first Scott Glossip (Wangaratta) 49, second Andrew Cameron (Melbourne) 48.
B grade: winner was local John Winters on 47 along with Hunter Aubrey (Corowa) on 45.
C Grade: first Peter Turner 45 and second Paul Aubrey (Corowa).
The second half of the competition was divided by a magnificent chicken, ham and salad lunch prepared by Pam Kirley and helpers.
After which event two, 50 Point Score Championship, commenced with a maximum attainable score of 150 points.
Once again Mitch Iles managed to hit all targets and with two second barrels hit scored 148.
AA Grade second was veteran Frankston shooter Billy Woodward scoring 146.
A Grade: first Andrew Cameron 143 over Bob Glossip (Wangaratta) 141.
B Grade: featured two locals Geoff Foster 140 and John Winters 138.
C Grade: winner was local John Desmond 129 and Kirsten Chinn (Woods Point) 126.
Four High Gun prizes form part of the Neil Walsh Championship and this is decided by a combination of the two events with a possible maximum score of 200.
Overall HG was Mitch Iles 198, Junior HG Cameron Ford, Lady HG Kirsten Wilson and Veteran was Billy Woodward.
A fun day was had by all with shooters, spectators and family members all participating to ensure a smoothly run day of competition with everyone chipping in with scoring, refereeing and generally helping out.
Co-ordinating the office Marty McLachlan delivered a smooth program.
Pam baked off a storm to provide a beautiful lunch and afternoon tea for all.
The day’s competition was sponsored by Nicholas Kirley and the Walsh family.
Club president Anthony Kirley and vice-president John Winters presented trophies and sashes on behalf of the sponsors to the winners and place getters.
Mansfield Clay Target Gun hosts the North East Zone shoot the third Sunday of each month.
The next program we will be hosting three North East Zone events on March 7 being three tower competitions.
The regular competition will be hosted March 21 being a double barrel, point score and 40 mixed target medley.
Spectators and new shooters welcome, pre-shoot practice from 10am.
The club is very family focused with lunch provided and all junior shoots sponsored by the club with all junior fees waived for all competitions.
Practice is conducted at club grounds each Thursday through daylight savings commencing 4.30pm, at Pikes Road, Mansfield.
If you are interested in attending just turn up or phone 0439 102285.
