Brilliant weather gives the full-bore rifle pennant team the critical break

By LEIGH ENFIELD ON Saturday, May 22, the weather at the Violet Town Rifle Range was so good for long range rifle shooting that perfect scores were not a surprise but expected. For a little window in time between 1pm and 2pm, the wind was so totally absent that it would have been possible to re-stuff a duvet with duck down, out of doors, without losing a feather. And the light was so clear and mirage free, that a shooter could count the insects on the target from 500 yards away. East Central District Rifle Association (ECDRA) was 'home team' to traditional rivals Karramomus, from the Goulburn Valley Rifle Association. Since most ECDRA shooters compete in the F Class Open Category, which is advantaged by benign conditions, the advantage was there and not squandered. ECDRA won the round convincingly, both in the McAuliffe Shield (handicap) competition and the Avenel Shield competition. ECDRA now sit alongside top team Katandra at four points each. The two teams do not meet until July 10, an away match at Katandra Rifle Range. This contest will decide the place at the final. The shooters that took the opportunity to record big range scores were Graeme Kerr 60.10 (a perfect score and first ever for the rifle range in F Class), ECDRA Captain Neal Hambridge 60.9, Des Coulter a pair of 60.6’s and President Terry Gee 60.5. Visitor Phil Betts, gradually winding down after a lifetime of service as one of our district 'Ambo’s', put down a pair of near-perfect 50.7’s in the Target Rifle category. Neal’s story was a demonstration of team sportsmanship with the chance at a 60.10 sacrificed for the greater good. A 60.10 is the 'Holy Grail' of F Class shooting. Neal went to the mound just after Graeme finished his perfect score, while the wind was still totally absent. The team as one, knowing he and his equipment had a chance, urged him to shoot quickly while the going was good. Neal’s first shot was a six score. An ever-growing string of the 'super centres' that make a 60 score a 60.10 score followed. The scoring system for the McAuliffe Shield competition does not count the 'super centres' so Neal was placed in a dilemma – go for individual glory or place the team first and keep the sighting shot in the score just in case the great conditions did not persist through to the end of shoot. Ever the team man, the team came first and a shot at a 60.10 will have to wait. Visit www.ecdra.com.au for information about the club and the sport.