Numbers were down for Wingham Rifle Club’s 700 yard event and the hot conditions certainly took their toll.
However, Phil Costa fought back after a stumble last weekend to top score the F Class and more importantly win the handicap event again for the second time in only a matter of weeks. His score was two points in front of the other seven members on the day. Keven Haytack shot well and scored 100, which was the closest to Costa’s off rifle score of 105.
In the target rifle section, only Steve Southwell and Wendy Moon competed in the A-grade with both scoring one possible each. Southwell’s second stage of 50.9 was excellent and only one V-bull off the record held by Moon. Both are trialling different loads in their Australian squad barrels trying to find that right amount to shoot extra tight groups. Southwell seems to just about have it worked out but both will continue trialing to prepare for the World titles in 2011, assuming they make the final cut. The team is expected to be announced in the next couple of weeks.
Damian Croft had a good second stage of 46.1 after Wilf Wright also amended his ammunition and he is now hoping to have more scores of 46 and above.
Tony Moon, Barry White and Rob Bartlett travelled to Canberra to compete in the ACT Queens. Tony won the first day, came second the two day lead up and then won the three day event - known as the Queens prize - by being the only shooter out of the 200 strong field not to drop a point. This then placed him first in the five day grand aggregate, two clear points clear of a Mark Thurtell, who beat him in the lead up. Thurtell, from Orange, is the brother of Peter from the Wingham club.
Next weekend will be a special shoot at 600yds side by side against another category of shooters from the range.