ACT ANZAC Memorial Open
22nd April, 2007
NSW M.S.D. Grand Prix Round 4 - Rifle
Match Report
After a month without precipitation in Canberra the forecast for Sunday 22nd April was rain. This had an impact on the numbers for the shoot nonetheless thirty three people arrived at the Majura range to contest the event. The rain did not arrive save for a half hearted sprinkle during the second detail that barely wet the ground. The rest of the day ranged from thin overcast to bright sunshine with a light breeze having no effect on the path of the projectiles; no excuses there!
We were greeted by the smell of frying bacon and eggs and treated to a complementary bacon and egg roll.
Another ACT innovation was the issuing of a set of score slips, one for each event, at registration. The appropriate slip for the event was collected from each competitor on the line by the scorers. Immediately after scoring the competitor was required to initial the score signifying agreement. The result, no arguments and minimised potential for being dudded on scores. This will only work for fixed targets but they represent the majority of our venues.
The first event was the 300m Deliberate; many visiting competitors shot up to 300mm high, one more peculiarity to write in the notebook. Tony Ovidi (ACT) top scored with an impressive 47.02 followed by Simon Ross (ACT) a C grader who is showing big potential on 45.02 and Graham Smith (Silverdale) another promising newcomer also on 45.02.
The 3P Core event was next on the program. In C grade Simon Ross shot an outstanding 141.09 followed by Drew Thomson (ACT) on 98.04 and Richard Hall (ACT) third on 89.01.
Graham Smith broke B grade with 135.10, second was Stephen Salt (ACT) on 116.05 with Andrew Scammell a close third scoring 116.04.
Tony Ovidi top scored in A grade with 140.12. Second was Richard Brown (Syd) with 134.06 and Peter Churchill (ACT) third on 133.08.
Max Blenkin (ACT) took out Master Grade with a personal best score of 145.13, followed by Dave Bundy (ACT) on 143.12 and Fred Meyer (Syd) on 138.12.
Craig Mahoney (Silverdale) won Grand Master grade with a superb 148.19 with Rob Irving (Sthn. Highlands) on 146.19.
The Action M rapid fire event completed the GP program with Rob Irving top scoring with 49.04 closely followed by John Lewis (Syd) on 49.03 and Alex Wells (ACT) on 48.04.
The Grand Prix Aggregate winners were Craig Mahoney on 238.25 with Rob Irving a smidgin behind on 238.24 and Simon Ross on 234.14.
The final event on the program was a local Volley Fire, 100m, ten round shoot, with commands “Load, Present, Fire” being given in rapid succession. Shades of the British Infantry Square. Top scorer was Simon Ross with a very impressive 48.04 followed by Fred Meyer on 45.02 and Tony Ovidi on 44.02.
Top guns for the aggregate of all events were Simon Ross (C grade! you must be Joking, Simon will be in the National Team in no time.) with a score of 282.18. The two Grand Masters trailed second and third; Craig Mahoney on 279.28 and Rob Irving with 277.26.
In Modified Rifle, shooting his CG63 look-alike, Craig Mahoney produced a magnificent aggregate of 247.33 from 250.50. This included an exceptional 4inch ten shot group in the 300m Deliberate scoring 50.07 and a 3P Core match of 149.21. Rob Irving was second on 239.24 and Fred Meyer third on 212.09.
This shoot was enjoyed by all with a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere adding to competitor enjoyment. Thanks to the organisers: Max Blenkin and Dave Shadwell for their Range Officering and scoring, David Thompson for the scoring and Statistics, not forgetting the chefs Richard Hall and Andrew Scammell who cooked our delicious breakfast and lunch. We all look forward to the event for next year.