2004 GRAFTON OPEN
CHAMPIONSHIPS
NSW RIFLE & PISTOL GRAND PRIX SERIES ROUND 3
27-29th FEB 2004
Grafton Rifle
Range hosted round 3 of the NSW Military/Service Rifle & Pistol Grand Prix
Series over the weekend of 27-29 Feb, and the event was judged to be the best
venue yet .
Competition
kicked off on Friday with Military/Service pistol. This event was strongly
supported by the local Clarence Valley shooters along with many travellers. It
was the largest Grand Prix pistol event to date and Grafton have much to be
proud of. Top six places as follows:
Malcom Hill
515.15 Nick Abrahall 514.12 John Triggs 507.13 Kerry Benson 507.06 Keith Barlow
500.14
Following the
Friday Pistol competition, the Martini Cadet match was held – probably 2003’s
fastest growing side of the discipline. These rifles were produced in the
thousands early in the 20th century and issued as training rifles for
cadets. Now, many years later, many modern time shooting enthusiasts now enjoy
a social shoot with these very same rifles. Many have languished in cupboards
over the years only to see the light of day as much sought after competition
rifles. Top 6 scores as follows:
Robert
Irving 260.05 Brian Haynes 259.01 Nick Abrahall 257.01 Kerry Benson 234.01 Peter
Pitchford 230.02 David Waters 230.00
Saturday saw
the start of the main event for iron sights “as-issued” rifles by way of the NSW
Grand Prix round consisting of the 3P & Rapid Fire. Some of the warmest and
most humid conditions tested all the shooters eagerness, but the dedication to
the sport had nobody take a back seat to the competition. They were there to
shoot – and shoot they did. Incredibly, the GP event had the top 3 places
decided on by central bulls with international representative Peter Barnier, of
Tamworth, showing his class in this keenly contested event. Top 6 places as
follows:
Peter Barnier
244.27 Dave Waters 244.26 Nick Abrahall 244.22 Steve Inskip 237.25 Brian Haynes
236.21 Dean Dewhurst 235.15.
Saturday
afternoon saw the running of the NSW Optical rifle events consisting of double
and single snap on appearing and switching targets at 300yards in style well
within the “spirit” of the discipline. We then followed onto a 3 position & 3
range walk down over 100, 200 and 300yards. Many of the competitors, braving
extreme heat, felt this event was a hight light for the weekend, and have
insisted that this Grafton event maintain . Top 6 places as follows:
Dean Dewhurst
245.23 David Waters 243.23 Aubrey Sonnenberg 242.27 Derek Higgins 241.18 Darren
Ottery 239.28 Grant Baley 239.14
Sunday,
awakening to a perfect morning, was reserved for a new (to Australia) event
known as High Power National Match Course, which has been promoted in Australia
by many of the international shooters from various Australian shooting
enthusiasts. This was adopted by Grafton and the event to be used in the
competition aggregates, but also give the competitors an opportunity to submit
scores to the International Postal. Shooters who had not experienced this event
before found it very challenging but highly enjoyable, and like the optical,
competitors will also look forward to this next year. Once again shooters with
international experience dominated this event. Top 6 score as follows:
Bob Faunt
472.04 Peter Barnier 445.03 Dave Waters 436.03 Grant Baley 418.04 Dean Dewhurst
417.01 Steve Inskip 409.04
Conclusion of
the weekend produced some fantastic results for the Grafton Open Championships
that is made up of Sat and Sun iron sights rifle events.
M-Grd. Peter
Barnier, Dave Waters, Dick Bennett.
A-Grd. Steve
Inskip, Brian Haynes, Phil Prangley.
B-Grd. Dean
Dewhurst, Aubrey Sonnenberg, Roman Copot.
C-Grd. Jamie
Harris, Kerry Benson, Chris Cross (Jnr).
By Sunday
afternoon everyone agreed that too much shooting was barely enough. The heat,
what heat? Nothing was going to stand in the way of what many considered one of
the best events and host ranges so far. A brief trophy, presentation and
closing briefing plus the handing out of any of the left over gifts Grafton had
for the participants, left locals packing up whilst travellers started the drive
home – some longer than others. Hosts and competitors all agree that if at all
possible, next year will be bigger and better.
A huge thanks
to Brian Haynes and Nick Abrahall, of Grafton, who were the ultimate organisers
and hosts. But it doesn’t end there. Grafton rifle club/range is a location
you have to see to believe. It is now known to many shooters as “the golf
course” thanks to all the Grafton Rifle Club volunteers of whom there are too
many to list. And finally, the caterers and cooks were fantastic with country
dinners available after every detail. Food was certainly not an issue.
Finally, thanks to the competitors who helped an every chance possible. This
discipline is oozing with volunteers and it is much appreciated. Well done
everyone – well done Grafton.
HAPPY SNAPS
