Life member John Thompson was not only one of those assisting to set up and pack up, he was also January’s sponsor.
Thompsons Concreting have been proud supporters of Echuca Moama Field and Game for over 20 years now, and the club thanks John and Robyn for their ongoing support.
The day’s shooting consisted of 75 targets, made up of three rounds of 25.
The first shooting station gave those in attendance two nicely displayed targets, one low target from the left, and then a slightly higher target from the right.
These targets were thrown in three different sequences, with shooters having two shots at the first target from the right, followed by a report pair, where the second target is released as the shooter fires their first shot at the first target sighted.
The final pair was a sim pair, where both targets are released simultaneously, and the shooter needs to choose which target to attempt first to give them time to go back to the other target.
This was a great warm-up station for the targets that followed.
Other stations throughout the course included some big tower targets, which shooters needed to judge the lead required to smash, a close rabbit target racing across the dirt and into a stand of trees, and a very tricky standard thrown off the club’s big truck.
This target brought many shooters unstuck, with the varying breeze making the target move closer or further away from the shooter, making the lead it needed change from eight feet plus back down to only four feet.
Early first round scores indicated that the targets were a little tougher than expected, but soon some big scores came rolling in, including the only perfect round of 25, which was shot by Steve Penglase from Barrook Field and Game.
Four shooters were on their game all day, shooting 69 targets out of 75.
Echuca Moama’s president Ricky Keirl, along with Mick Baldwin, Grant Sandford, and junior shooter Xavier Russell, all Shepparton Field and Game members, shot extremely well in the heat, and then went on to a shoot-off to decide the high gun winner for the day.
Shooting at an extra 12 targets set up by Mick Keirl, the four top guns for the day fought hard until the end, with Grant Sandford coming out on top with eight of the 12 shoot-off targets hit.
Ricky Keirl and Xavier Russell both came in with 7/12, which gave Ricky the win in AA grade and Xavier the win in juniors. Mick Baldwin was just one target behind them on 6/12 and went on to win A grade.
Other grade winners included two locals; Chris Smith won B grade, and Bob Davey shot off to take first in C grade. Kyabram’s Vicki Norris won ladies, and Rocky Furci from Shepparton was the Vets winner.
Bendigo’s Tom Dixon rounded out the winners, taking the lead in sub juniors by 13 targets.
The club’s next shoot will be held on Sunday, February 17, beginning at 10am.
This 75-target event is the Jack Howe Memorial shoot, held in honour of one of our founding members.
This year it will also be the first leg of the North West Zone shoots for 2019.
Any enquiries can be directed to President Ricky Keirl on 0418 922 951 or on the club’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/echucamoamafieldandgame
January Shoot results:
High Gun: Grant Sandford 69/75.
AA Grade: 1st: Ricky Keirl 69/75, 2nd: Chris Charleson 68/75, 3rd: Ricky Bilney 66/75.
A Grade: 1st: Michael Baldwin 69/75, 2nd: Tim Finnegan 67/75, 3rd: Lee Lewis 61/75.
B Grade: 1st: Chris Smith 53/75, 2nd: Peter Keirl 50/75, 3rd: Lonny Hore 47/75.
C Grade: 1st: Bob Davey 47/75, 2nd: Jordan Treble 47/75, 3rd: Gary Stephenson 40/75.
Vets: 1st: Rocky Furci 56/75, 2nd: Roger Kerslake 54/75, 3rd: Trevor Smith 50/75.
Ladies: 1st: Vicki Norris 59/75, 2nd: April Thompson 56/75, 3rd: Emma Keirl 50/75.
Jnrs: 1st: Xavier Russell 69/75, 2nd: Tom Bilney 66/75.
Sub Jnrs: 1st: Tom Dixon 49/75, 2nd: Bianca Norris 36/75, 3rd: Nicholas Cox 32/75.
