Highlands Open – 25th February, 2007
NSW M.S.D. Grand Prix Round 2 - Rifle
Match Report
People began gathering for the first round of the rifle Grand Prix 2007 on Saturday afternoon at the Southern Highlands Rifle Club range near Hilltop. The range was in great shape and very green following the regular thunderstorms over the last week or so. The club committee made the excellent shower, toilet and clubhouse facilities available for M.S.D. visitor use. A stormy evening meant a BBQ inside with a beer or two.
After storms for days Sunday was overcast as competitors arrived early to sign in. The weather was kind however and only one detail of Cadet had a little scotch mist as they shot. Thirty five competitors registered; less than last year but a more manageable number that enabled a little less “rush rush”. All told five different matches were shot during the day. Shooters from the Illawarra, Lithgow, Highlands and greater Sydney area joined significant contingents from the MRCA and Navy. It was good to see the turnout included three juniors; brother’s Andrew and Luke Weynen and James Porteous.
Robert Irving, in his briefing, welcomed the competitors and stressed that the first priority of the event was the safety of all attendees and that this took precedence over scores, trophies, completing matches and all other considerations. The second priority was stated as competitor enjoyment; Rob reminded competitors that this was the real purpose of our participation.
Optical Rifle
The 300 Meter Optical Match was shot on the 2ft, Mini-core targets and commenced with first rounds fired at 8:40 a.m. Conditions were cool, without significant wind. Thirty competitors and a range of rifles from original WW II snipers, standard and modified rifles, sporters, and Accuracy Internationals graced the mound.
F1 class, with scopes of only 3x to 4x produced reasonable scores with Fred Meyer (Syd) first on 44.0 using a Rifle No.1 edging out Frank Gasparini (Syd) on 39.0. John Lewis (Syd) was third using a Rifle No4 Mk1 T to score 26.0.
In the optical match, standard rifle class (iron sights) shooting on the mini-cores Kevin Gill (Syd) top scored with 38.01 using his Swede M96. Andrew Goodsell was second with 37.01 and Gordon O’Donnell third on 25.01. In Modified class Kim Prehn high scored with an impressive 51.01.
Tactical development class was won by Craig Mahoney (Syd) with an impressive score of 58.04 using a 22-250 heavy barrelled sporter. David Vivien -Jones (Syd) came a close second, using his AI in 308, to score 58.01. Joy Cujic (Syd) was third with 55.01.
Standard Rifle
Standard rifle events began with the 300m Deliberate. Ron Hawkins (Syd) showed that years of full bore shooting pay off, scoring 47.4, Frank Gasparini was one centre behind with 47.03. Lev Hassan shot a close third on 46.03.
The 3 positional event was won by Craig Mahoney with a creditable 147.19 followed by Frank Gasparini on 144.11 and Rob Irving on 140.12.
Action M was closely fought with only Vs separating first to third. Craig Mahoney led with 47.07, Andrew Goodsell was second with 47.04 and Marcus O’Dean third on 47.03.
Modified Rifle 3P
Modified Rifle was won by Craig Mahoney on 144.16 with Dick Antcliff close behind on 143.09 and Matt Roberts third on 141.09.
G. P. Aggregate Standard Rifle
The Junior grade event was won by Andrew Weynen (Syd) followed by James Porteous (Syd) with Luke Weynen (Syd) in third position.
Master grade was won by Craig Mahoney with a score of 235.26, followed by Frank Gasparini on 230.16 and Mark Lewis (Syd) on 230.12.
A grade winner was Kevin Gill on 226.18 with Kim Prehn runner up on 221.10 and Bob Harrold third on 221.09.
B grade top score was Ray Harrold on 210.09, with Dick Antcliff second on 209.06 and Gordon O’Donnell third on 199.07.
There were no C graders shooting Standard Rifle.
GP Aggregate Top Guns were Craig Mahoney, Frank Gasparini, Mark Lewis, Marcus O’Dean, Kevin Gill and Ron Hawkins.
Cadet /Trainer
Junior top gun shooting a training rifle was Andrew Weynen.
The open event was won by George Pabis (Lithgow) scoring 272.2 with his Rifle No.8, runner-up was Andrew Griffiths (Sthn. Highlands) on 271.3 using a borrowed No.5 Trainer, with Robert Irving third on 268.3 using a Cadet.
Conclusion
Once again the atmosphere through a very full day was excellent, the competition was intense but in the spirit of good sportsmanship and this added up to a successful event.
The day’s events would not have been possible without help from Kerry and Peter in procurement and Range Officering. Rob and helpers, who did the scoring, Valma and Barry Mercer who handled the catering, target preparation and administrative organization. In addition thanks to all the competitors who worked as range officers, safety officers, as butt’s officers and in details, plus those who helped with the clean up. Perhaps next year we may persuade SHRC and the range management committee to give us a two day weekend to enable more events at a more leisurely pace.
Next Event
The next M.S.D. State sanctioned event is the City Versus Country Grand Prix round starting with Pistol and Cadet/Trainer on Friday the16th of March, through to Sunday 18th at the Windamere Shooting Complex near Mudgee. This is popularly regarded as one of the most enjoyable shoots in the calendar, for details see the calendar.