KEEN CONTEST

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 139, 8 March 1929, Page 12

KEEN CONTEST

AT VICTORIAN RIFLE MEETING H. FEAST HEADS FIELD IN MERRETT MATCH TEAM BEATEN BY A POINT By Telegraph.—Press Association. (Rec. March 8, 6.20 a.m.) «• r Melbourne, March 7. At the start of the second stage of the King’s Prize, 10 shots at 600 and 700 yards, the Aveather was warm and the wind was light from the left rear, giving the first squad down good conditions, and they made brilliant scores. The wind gradually shifted to a rear fishtail, increasing, till at 700 yards the going was hard, and a number of misses were recorded. They were typical Trentham conditions. The team greatly appreciate the cabled congratulations of the Minister of Defence, Mr. Wilford. The second stage of the King’s was won by Taylor (N.S.W.), with 95. F. James (New Zealand) was second with 92. He wins £6. Aikenhead (Victoria) was third with 91. AVinners of £1 included Boon 87, Whiteman 86, J. Feast 84, Hood 83. Counted out: Kerr, McIver, Piper, and Simmonds, each with 83. The remaining New Zealand scores were: Qrr, 82; Masefield, 80, Bolton and Roots 78. In the King’s Cup aggregate to date Palmer (Victoria) leads with 190, Aikenhead (Victoria) is second with 190, and R. Little (Victoria) is thrd wth 188. James (New Zealand) is ninth with 187 and M. Feast eleventh with. 186. White made 182, Kerr 182 and Swanson and Boon 181. Merrett Match. In the Merrett match teams from Victoria, New South Wales,. South Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand competed. Kalopore Cup conditions, ten shots at 300, 500 and 600 yards,; eight a side. The New Zealand team was: Masefield, James, Kerr, H. Feast, Simmonds, Mclvor, Nix, and Hood. Captain Marshall Was in command. Roots and Boon Avere coaches, doing their work' well. H. Feast, for the second time in succession, headed the entire field, recording the wonderful score of 142 out and 150 in under adverse conditions. Colonel Merrett specially congratulated Feast on his effort. Feast was also cheered by the Australians on his top score, three-ahead of anybody. At 300 yards the scores were : New South Wales, 351; New Zealand, 346; South Australia, 346; Victoria, 342; Tasmania, 324. . .. At 500 yards Ncav Zealand steadily pulled ahead with 719, Victoria making 713, New South Wales 709, South Australia 695, and Tasmania 669. At 600 yards the conditions were worse, but eased towards the finish. AVith the first sections finished, the field closed up, seven points separating the first four teams —Victoria, 794; New Zealand, 792; New South Wales, 792; South Australia, 787. The finish of the first Kolapore of Australia was intensely thrilling. .New Zealand finished early; Victoria had the only chance of victory.- The result hung on the last shot of the match, a bull being required to win. Armstrong found the centre, and won amidst the greatest excitement, by a point. ■ . ? , Final totals: Victoria, 1059; New Zealand, 1058; New South Wales, 1046; South Australia, 1026; Tasmania, 985. New Zealand scores: Feast, 142; Kerr and Hood, 137; Simmonds, 135; Masefield, 134; Mclvor, 129; Nix, 127; James, 117.

The Minister of Defence (Hon. T. M. Wilford) yesterday forwarded a telegram of congratulation to the New Zealand rifle team now in Victoria on the splendid results so far achieved. The team was wished continued success.