Rifle Shooting Final Shot Wins Levin Man His Second Ballinger Belt

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29763, 5 March 1962, Page 6

Rifle Shooting Final Shot Wins Levin Man His Second Ballinger Belt

(New Zealand Press Association

WELLINGTON, March 4. Cautiously, N. C. Petersen (Levin) looked down his sights, aimed, dropped his position for another look at the target, re-aimed and sent away the winning shot of the 1962 Queen’s Prize at the National Rifle Association’s meeting at Trentham on Saturday It was the second time he had taken the Ballinger Belt and £4O first prize money—the last occasion in 1959. Petersen wiped the sweat from his forehead, relaxed for the first time in an hour, and ended one of the most dramatic Queen's finals. Extra Careful

Petersen had been extra careful with his last shot, from 900 yards, because he was conscious that though he had started with a six-point lead, M. G Gordon (Okawa), twice winner erf the title, had steadily gained on him. Gordon had shot 72 out of the possible 75. and Petersen had to score a four or a five to win He had already shot two threes and could not afford another one

His caution paid off He finished with a total aggregate of 548, two ahead of Gordon, and three ahead of his brother, J T. Petersen (Alfredton), who had also gained on him in the 15shot final.

First to congratulate the winner was bis mother, who ran from the crowd to embrace her son. The final was watched by the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) and the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash). ' Broke Record Petersen easily broke R S Torrie's 1960 record of 527. but he had five extra shots with which to do it But the best shoot of the day was Gordon’s 72. especially brilliant because his first sighter was a complete miss. The leading shots were (first and second shots could be claimed as sighters): N. C. Petersen: 3,4, both sighters. 5. 5. 3,5, 4, 5. 5,4, 4. 5. 3, 5. 5, 5. 5 Gordon: 0, sighter, 5,5, 5. 4. 4. 5,5, 5, 5. 5,4, 5. 4. 5. 5,5, 5. J T. Petersen: 4. s ghter. 5. 4. 5. 5. 5, 5. 5,4, 4,5, 4,5, 5. 5, 5. Results were:— £4O. Ballinger belt and N R.A. medal: N. C. Petersen (Levin). 548 £2O. West Memorial Cup. Rifle Challenge Cup and N.R.A. silver star: M. G. Gordon (Okawa). 546. £lO and N.R.A. stiver star: J T. Petersen (Alfredton), 545. £6 and N.R.A. silver star: J. W Johnson (Featherston), 541. £5: W J. Norris (Auckland Citv), 540. £3 6s 8d: I. G. Campbell (Army) 539. R T. Rowley (Invercargill) 539 F. J Jeune (Gisborne) 539. £3: C. Thom (Sydenham) 538 £2: R. G. Gurney (Levin) 537. D. Chatfield (Akaranai 537. R B. East (Sydenham) 536. I. R. Ballinger (Sydenham) 536. \W. J Burton (Gisborne) 536. £1: D. J. Caughtey

(R.N.Z.AT.) 536, M. C. E. Cammock (Waipukurau) 536, H C. Evans (Concord, N.S.W.) 536. R. H. Nicholl (Petone) 536. C. K Fleming (Sydenham) 535, T. N. Sutherland (Masterton-Opaki) 535, A. H. Sowerby (Old Navals) 535. A. C. E. Commock (Waipukurau) 535. A. Churcher (Cheltenham) 535 V. J Newton (Ashhurst) 534. M. T. R McCarthy (Akarana) 534. J. H. Hand (Petone) 534. H. V. Donald (Masterton-Opaki) 534. M. H. Reid (Upper Hutt) 534. J. H. Foster (Napier City) 533. E. A. Alexander (Christchurch) 533. D. W G. Collings (Karon) 533. F. J. Jermy (Petone) 533, R. A. Wilton (Masterton-Opaki) 532, M. H. Judkins (Auckland City) 532. H. C. Perry (Alfrirdton) 532, R. F. Wakefield (Karori) 532. H. F. Tatteretield (Karori) 531, W. Oakley (Malvern) 531, T. O. King (Napier City) 530. A. F. Paynter (Blenheim) 530. T. S. Prichard (Karori) 529, R. T. Bowie (Upper Hutt) 529. R A. F. Marton (Karori) 529. R. E. Taylor (Christchurch) 528, I. R. Larsen (Army) 528, H. C. Crozier (New Plymouth) 527. J. S. Wooster (Army) 527. G Rhodes (Papawai) 527, E. M. Wrigley (Masterton-Opaki) 525, A. H. O'Donnell (Petone) 524. Grand Aggregate.—A grade: £5, Collins Challenge Cup and gold medal, J. T. Petersen (Alfredton) 767. £3 and silver medal. W. J. Burton (Gisborne) 758. £2 and bronze medal, M G. Gordon (Okawa) 754 There were three £2. 30 £1 and 36 10s prizes. B grade: £4, D. Chatfield (Akarana) 746 £3. W. P. Searle (Auckland City) 738

£2. I. M. Shilton (Army) 736 There were seven £l. and 22 10s prizes. C grade: £3. J. Y. Hannay (R.N.Z.A.F.) 711. £2, S. P. Townshend (Linton) <O4 There were six £1 and 16 10» prizes. N.R.A. champion team match: £4O. District Challenge Cup and live miniatures: Auckland City. 499. £25. Karori Blue 49# £l5. Levin 496. £lO. Featherston 496 There were six £5 prizes Fortv-three teams competed. Masfield Cup for highest Individual scorer in the team match: H. M. Ward (MastertonOpaki). , District team match: Bapty shield. Wellington. 4653. 1: Walrarapa. 4641. 2; Western Districts. 4628 3.