The Christmas shoot at Bega Gun Club is always an event not to miss and this year was no exception.
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A good turnout of 37 shooters took part.
Following rain from previous weeks, glorious sunshine greeted participants, providing excellent conditions on the day.
Three events were presented for the program with the annual invitational high gun adding extra interest for spectators and those fortunate enough to have won a monthly high gun title throughout the year.
The first event was a 25-target double barrel, shot from different distances, starting at 11 metres and moving back three metres after five targets.
Chris Rowland and Ray Welch used an extra five targets to sort out AA grade, with Rowland winning 29/30 to Welch’s 28/30.
Kevin Hurt took out A grade with a score of 23/25 from Steve McIntyre on 22/25.
Meanwhile, Craig Field and John Walker held the shortest of shoot offs to decide B Grade, with Field winning 24/26 over Walker’s 23/26.
In C grade, Mick Diss began well with a 21/25, with Pat Green on 15/25 taking the second prize.
The second event was a 25- target continental, shot from 18-metres.
Diss and Green finished equal, requiring two extra targets to decide positions.
Diss again edged Green to second place, winning 18-17.
Field topped the B grade standings with 30/32 after a shootoff with runner-up Doug Blewitt on 29/32.
The elder statesmen of A Grade, John Siede and Ray Kearns, used only one extra to decide ranks, with Siede scoring 25/26 to Kearn’s 24/26.
In AA grade, Phil Craig shot 29/30 to win from Alf Niesar on 28/30.
Members broke for a Christmas lunch, which was enjoyed and organisers joked everyone went home a little bit heavier.
To add to the Christmas cheer, organisers set the final event as 15-pair double rise, shot from 11m, 14m and 17m.
Charlie Smith and Leon Cuzner cleaned up AA grade with scores of 29/30 and 27/30 respectively.
A grade went to the consistent Kevin Hurt with a score of 29/30 from runner-up Kearns on 24/30.
B grade saw four shooters, Zip Summerill, John Walker, Keith Pearce and Peter Johnston all square and fighting for second after Brian Smith collected 23/30 for first.
At the end of six pairs, John Walker collected second spot with a score of 32/42.
Diss continued his form to win C grade with 21/30, relegating George Adamopoulos to second with a score of 20/30.
With the day’s fun over, two squads of 2014 high gun winners entered the fray for the invitational high gun sash.
All participants provided the crowd with a demonstration of consistent shooting, with Phil Body finally wearing the rest out to take the prize.
Charlie Smith collected the high gun prize for the December shoot with a score of 74/80, ensuring he will be back at the invitational in 2015.
The day ended with some meat tray shoot offs and presentations.
Alf Niesar was named club champion for his consistent results over the year-long program.
Illustrating his consistency is the fact that Niesar also won the Fimac Engineering Handicap Shield this year as well.
The club congratulated him on his efforts.
The final award for the year goes to the most improved shooter.
The award this year went to George Toyne.
He has worked consistently throughout the year to improve his skills, rarely missing a practice day and has shown great progress for his efforts.
Vice-president Body thanked members for their efforts throughout the year and wished all a great Christmas and a safe trip home.
Shooting returns on January 4 with the Tarraganda 100.
This is a major highlight of the club’s calendar.
Practice starts at 9am, with competition from 10am.