Mark the marksman ...

Press, 11 January 1986, Page 11

Mark the marksman ...

PA Wellington An Australian, Mark Buchanan, had experienced riflemen searching for superlatives to describe his performance on Thursday as he shot his way into the record books at the National Rifle Association championships at Trentham. Buchanan, aged 31, smashed Barry Price’s 13-year-bld record for the 10 Ballinger Belt qualifying matches by two points as he recorded 497, including 73 centrals, out of a possible 500. Price, from Upper Hutt, was one of the first to congratulate Buchanan on his achievement. “I’m surprised the record stood for so long, but that is a terrific performance,” Price said as he shook hands with the New South Wales representative. Diane Collings (nee Blaymires), who won the coveted belt in 1981, was another to pay tribute to the easygoing Buchanan. “He’s like a machine. It is depressing for a mortal like me,” Collings said. After two days of ideal conditions, Trentham turned on its own brand of challenge on Thursday. The wind was changing direction all the time. Rain came in short bursts, and it was in stark contrast to the unusually calm first two days.

The change certainly threw most competitors off their stride, but Buchanan never faltered. Over the four matches on Thursday, Buchanan posted an incredible 199 out of a possible 200, including 28 centrals. In the 10 matches, he managed 73 centrals from 100 shots. “I have never shot so well In my life,” a delighted Buchanan said. “It was very challenging out there this afternoon. But I’m in a challenging mood.” Buchanan said it was essential on the 800 and 900 yard ranges on Thursday to be patient. “If you took your time, it would go back to its original condition and you could use that to advantage for three or four shots. If it continued, you had to make adjustments. But it all came down to patience.” Buchanan, who recently missed out in the Australian Commonwealth Games selection trials, said he was sure his score would surprise a few people in Australia. Buchanan has found the week’s shooting exhausting and he made sure he was prepared for Thursday’s important four matches by having 11 hours sleep. The Australian will want to be mentally and physically prepared for today’s Queen’s Fifty shoot. The

final act of the championships is over 900 yards and 15 shots. Buchanan takes a fourshot lead into the final stage over the defending champion, Chester Burt (Ashhurst). Burt has 493, including 58 centrals as against Buchanan’s 497 and 73. The Ashhurst rifleman shot 68, with eight centrals, out of a possible 75 last year. Burt will be waiting in the wings should Buchanan slump dramatically, but on current form that seems unlikely. Results:— Wellington match (500 yards): A grade: F Godfrey (Te Puke) 50.10, B. Thom (Karori) 50.10, equal 1; R. Chilcott (Clevdon) 50.9, J. Dodson (Kait-Blenheim) 50.9, equal 3; W. Tabor (United States) 50A 5; B- Rowlands (New South Wales) 50.8, 5; C. Burt (Ashhurst) 50.8, 7; D (Tapanui) 50.7, 2; W. Briggs (Gore) 50.6, 3; V. Neal (KaitBlenheim) 50.6 4; K. BUI (Brisbane) 505, 5. C grade: B. Hamilton (Karori) 50.4, 1; B. Hooper (Whangarei) 49.7, 2; J. Cockerill (Upper Hutt) 49.7, 3; R. Atkinson (Cheltenham) 49.6, 4, K. Hopkins (RNZAF) 49.5, 5. Hawke’s Bay match (600 yards):—A grade: W. Buckley (Queensland) 50.7, 1; C. Burt (Ashhurst) 50.7, 2; R. Rowlands (New South Wales) 50.6, 3; D. Farnum (Rotorua) 505, 4; A. Loughnan (Napier City) 505, 5; R. Morton (New South Wales) 505, 6; G. Giffin (Cannon Hill)

50.4, 7; L. Dragovich (Rotorua) 50.3. 8: J. RiAiMon (Onslow) 49.7, 9; M. Hoobs (Masterton) 49.7, 10. B grade: D. Fincham (Hawera) .50.7, 1; P. Law ( Te Puke) 49.6, 2; Q. Miller (Auckland City) 49.6, 3; M. Duthie (Te Puke) 49.4, 4; A Chatfield (Akarana) 495, 5. C grade: E. Masoe (Upper Hutt) 50.8, 1; G. Giddens (Cheltenham) 505, 2; M. Gilliee (NZ Army) 485, 3; E. Shove (Otorohanga) 48.4, 4; B. Aitchison (Onslow) 485, S. Southland match (800 yards):—A grade: M. Hobbs (Metropolitan) 50.7, 1; G. Berman (NSW) 505, 2; M. Buchanan (NSW) 505, 3; C. Burt (Ashhurst) 50.6, 4; M. Morrison (Clevdon) 505, 5; T. McGuigan (Sydney) 505, 6; D. Wright (NSW) 505,7; W. Tabor (United States) 50.4, 8; L. Geange (Hamiltou) 50.3, 9; I. Newman Kr Hutt) 505, 10. B grade: Hings (Karori) 50.6, 1; K. Dell (Brisbane) 495, 2; I. Buick (Masterton) 49.6, 3; A. Stewart (Otorohanga) 49.6,4; N. Findlay Caughley (Levin) 505, 8; M. Buchanan (New South Wales) 505, 9; G. Giffin (Cannon HUI) 50.8, 10. B grade: A. Whiteman (Upper Hutt) 50.8, 1; J. MUler (Napier City) 49.2. C grade: W. Lester (Cheltenham) 50.4, 1; F. Eales (Ashhurst) 49.6, 2; D. Hamilton (Karori) 495, 3; J. Dronowski (Sydney Grammar) 495, 4; S. WUton (Karori) 495, 5. Parker Hale Match (900 yards):—A grade: M. Buchanan (NSW) 50.8, 1; J. Johnstone (Qeensland) 50.4, 2; F. Godfrey (Te Puke) 50.3, 3; I. Griffiths (NSW) 49.7, 4; R. Rowlands (NSW) 495, 5; F. Bird (Karori) 4905, 6; J. PhUlips (NSW) 49.4,

7; J. Bowen (Karori) 492, 8; D. Robinson (Brisbane) 492, 9; D. Geange (HamUton) 48.6, 10. • The Queen’s Fifty to shoot off over 900 yards: M. Buchanan (N5.W.) 497.73; C. Burt (Ashhurst) 49358; R. Rowlands (N5.W.) 490.63; J. Johnstone (Queensland) 49050; D. Collings (Te Puke) 48954; L. Dragovich (Rotorua) 48954; E. FugllstaUer (Hawers)4BBso; H. Vreekamp (NS.W.) 488.49; M. Morrison (Clevdon) 488.47; J. Manning (Whangarei) 488.44; A. Owens (Ni/Army) 488.43; I. Griffiths (N.S.W.) 487.60; D. Wright (N5.W.) 487.49, G. MUler (Auckland City) 48658; F. Godfrey (Te Puke) 48656; G. Iszlaub (Queensland) 48652; A Loughnan (Napier City) 486.49; G. PhiUis (Port Jackson) 48555; G. Smith (Malvern) 485.49;- G. Nicholas (Upper Hutt) 485.48; G. Berman (NS.W.) 485.48; J. Hand (Petone) 485.43; J. ChUcott (Te Puke) 48452; B. Howard (Levin) 48452; W. Buckley (Queensland) 484.48; M. MUton (NS.W.) 48355; J. Southall (Otorohanga) 483.48; B. Bower (Clevdon) 483.45; P. Rispin (Okawa) 483.44; R. ChUcott (Clevedon) 48252; R. Morton (NS.W.) 482.47; R. Ashton (NS.W.) 482.46; B. Murphy (NS.W.) 482.44; T. McGuigan (Sydney) 482.44; J. Campbell (Te Pnke) 482.38; S. Regan (Ashhurst) 481.42; K. Meade (Petone) 481.42; B. Thom (Karori) 48057; K. Win (Onslow) 48053; K. Lee (Sydney); B. Golden (Taumarunui) 480.48; M. MUler (Upper Hutt) 480.45; J. Buchanan (NS.W.) 47953; J. McLaren (Masterton) 479.4% J. Williams (N2. Army) 479.49; P. Newman (Upper Hutt) 479.48; M. CaUaghan (Westport) 479.47; H. Griffiths (Moseman) 479.46.