Silverdale Range recently hosted the Sporter and Experimental NSW Benchrest Championships. Though a NSW event, shooters also travelled from interstate to compete. We were blessed with decent weather to conduct the competition, and some very creditable performances were featured. On day one, the Experimental classes were contested. This entitles shooters to use an unlimited weight gun, and many rifles are real pieces of art, not to mention amazingly accurate. A genuine highlight of this shoot was the appearance of Kerry Richards ,who, in her very first registered match, managed to win the 100 yards section. I don’t know if this has ever been done before, and no-one appreciated it more than her fellow competitors. Congratulations, Kerry. We look forward to seeing you again soon!

Day Two featured the Sporter competition, which is for much lighter weight rifles, shot from sandbag rests. The lead changed repeatedly throughout the day, as the match became a virtual arm-wrestle, with everybody straining to gain the upper hand. That struggle added to the excitement, as we waited to see who would break free from the pack. Eventually, it came down to a battle between Darren Parsons and Murray Hicks, with them winning a yardage each, and Darren clinching the Grand Aggregate.

Newcastle shooters were dominant throughout the competition, and only Rob Carnell and Kerry Richards managed to prevent them getting a clean sweep of the awards over the week-end. Team Parsons (Darren and Ean), and Murray Hicks all lived up to expectation and reputation, and performed strongly from start to finish. All-in-all, it was a grand week-end with fine sportsmanship, and fine performances. See you all next month for the Light and Heavy legs of the NSW Championships!

Results:

Experimental 100yds

1. Kerry Richards

2. Rob Carnell

3. Ken Yates

Experimental 200 yds

1.Murray Hicks

2.Steve Sori

3. John Babic

Experimental Grand.

1.Rob Carnell

2.Ann Brummell

3. John Babic

Sporter 100 yds.

1.Murray Hicks

2.Darren Parsons

3.Ean Parsons

Sporter 200 yds.

1.Darren Parsons

2.Paul Sullivan

3.John Babic

Sporter Grand.

1.Darren Parsons

2. Murray Hicks

3.Paul Sullivan

Mark Worrad

Silverdale Range.