RIFLE SHOOTING N.Z. MEETING AT TRENTHAM

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27591, 23 February 1955, Page 14

RIFLE SHOOTING N.Z. MEETING AT TRENTHAM

STIRRING FINISH EXPECTED THREE MEN LEADING IN AGGREGATE (New Zealand Press Association) TRENTHAM, February 22. With six of the 10 ranges shoots completed the contest for the 1955 Queen s Prize at the national rifle 5 h ® r PP i .? n " ships at Trentham gives every of providing one of the most stirring finishes in years. Only four points separate the first 15 in the aggregate, and three men share the leading position. The leaders are the 1952 and 1954 champton, J. W. Curtin (Opaki), and two young riflemen who were prominent in the combined services’ small ®fms shoot (Karorl) 278, R. B. Wood (Invercargill) 277, H. V. Iconaid (Opaki), W. Norris (Auckland), H. Kittow (Walpukurau). R. J. Hutt), and S. E. Foot Wiangarei), wim 276. W. N. Masefield (Blenheim). R. S. Torrle (Akarana), H. J. Brehaut (Okawa). S L. Luxford (Okawa), and F. J. Jeune (Gisborne), with 275. There are four on 274 and five on 273. •The reorganisation of the matches this vear has probably accounted for the launched field. Previously the short ranges were fired on the first two days, and the long ranges on the fourth day, the third day being devoted to the service se ™ e sThe trend under this system was °tt«n for the smart shots at the shorter ranges to get a break on the field. Invariably the more experienced riflemen them at the longer ranges. Now both short and long ranges hav ® mingled, with much more interesting re the four remaining pionship matches will be fired, decide those who t Quela’« 50, and the shoot-off for the "Queeaa Prize on Friday afternoon. On Thursday the service series will be fired. Results were:— TARANAKI MATCH (10 shots at 800 yards) A Grade £7: R. B. Wood (Invercargill), 50. £5: E. A. Ballinger (Onslow), 48. £3: S. E. Foot (Whangarei), 48. £2: R. S. Torrie (Akarana), 48. B Grade £5: C. Simonsen (Sydenham), 49. £4: P. Monks (Linton), 49. £2: T. W. Direen (Ngapara), 48. C Grade , £3 10s: D. W. B. Clarke (Kaltuna), 49. £3 10s: W. K. Hawkes (Waihi). 49. £2: R. V. Sergent (Takapau). 48. AUCKLAND MATCH (10 shots at 900 yards) A Grade £7: J. W. Curtin (Opaki), 48. £5: W. N. Masefield (Blenheim), 47. £3: F. C. H. Naim (Papakura), 47. £2: R. A. Wilton (Opaki), 46. B Grade £5: K. R. Foster (Waiau). 40. £4: F. W. Wass (Petone), 46. £2: W. P. Gerard (Waiouru), 45. CANTERBURY MATCH (10 shots at 300 yards) A Grade £7: I. £ark (Kaituna), 49. £5: J. W. Curtin (Opaki), 49. £3: J. J. Hansen (Linton), 49. £1 ss: W. N. Masefield (Blenheim), F. J. Jeune (Gisborne), W. J. Burton (Gisborne); D. Robertson (Karori), all 49. B Grade £4 10s: M. Jepson (Levin), 49. £4 10s: R. O’Connell (R.N.Z.A.F.), 49. £2: I. V. Newton (Ashhurst), 49. C Grade £4: P. Hunnibell (R.N.Z.A.F.), 48. £3: J. R. Hewitt (Banks Peninsula), 48. £2: E. R. Williams (Gisborne), 48. WELLINGTON MATCH (Ten shots at 500 yards) A Grade £7: R. J. Bowie (Upper Hutt), 49. £5: N. C. Warren (Opaki), 49. £3: E. A. Bullmore (Wairoa), 49. £2: S. L. Lumsden (Levin), 49. B Grade £5: F. R. Halsey (Akarana), 49. £3 each: N. W. Taylor (Walpukurau) and E. E. Le Prou (Rotorua). C Grade £2: B. Dickens (Alfredton), 47.