RIFLE MATCH: H.M.S. OPAL V. GORDON RIFLES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8987, 27 February 1888, Page 7 (Supplement)

RIFLE MATCH: H.M.S. OPAL V. GORDON RIFLES.

The return match between the above teams took place on 18th Feb. The conditions were the same as in the previous match, viz.: 15 men a-side, and the ranges 200, 300. and 500 yards, 7 shots at each distance. It will be remembered that the Gordons won the last match by 23 points, but it was anticipated that on the return the Opals would v.-in, which has proved the case by a narrow majority of 4 points. The Opals used the Martini-Henry rifle and the Gor- j dons the Snider. The result of this match | ought to convince the most sceptical as to %,he superiority of the Martini-Henry as against the Snider rifle; for in the first match, with little or no practice, the Opals made a desperate fight with the Gordons, and only suffered defeat by 23 points, while on the present occasion they have turned the tables on their opponents, and won by 4 points, after a most exciting contest. The following are tho scores :—

II.M.S. OPAL TEAM 200yds. 300yds. 50Uyds. Tl. Fonjearrt-Major Barrow .. 27 23 30 — SO Jilr. Martin, gunner R.N. 27 25 28 — SO Gunner" F. Walker 30 27 23 — SO Capt. Foretop McGee .. 30 25 21 — 76 Gunner's-mate Brown .. 27 22 2*3 — 75 Bo'tswain's-niate Chappie 2S 22 22 — 72 Mr. Wyatt, gunner R.N... 29 28 11 — 63 Liu-seaman Hatch .. 25 23 10 — 07 Boatswain Birch.. 25 19 15—62 A.B. >preadborough ..25 19 ' 17 — 61 A. B. Leach .. ..2d 13 17 — 61 O. Wadline .. .. 20 21 14-61 °»di?-seaman Rutland .. 22 27 8 — 57 tunner's-mate Cross .. 22 19 15 — 56 Quartermaster Giflord ..27 19 10—56 Total .. 1012 ' GORDON' RIFLES. 200vds. 300vrts. 500yds. Tl. Volunteer A. T. Craig .. 23 26 23 — 77 Sergeant J. I'. White ..31 17 26 — 74 Volunteer (J. Wishart ..27 19 27 — 73 Volunteer Osborne .. 27 23 22 — 72 Captain W. I',. White .. 26 25 20 — 71 Corporal F. Kinsev .. 25 19 24 — 63 lieutenant D. A. Hay .. 28 25 15 — 6S Vol. J. G. Buchanan .. 29 21 17 — 67 Volunteer Travel .. 27 18 21 — 66 Lieutenant J. 15. Fairs ..28 19 13 — 65 Vol. H. T. Buckley .. 2.1 24 IS — 65 Sergeant R. Cox .. 28 22 13 — 63 Lieutenant E. Buchanan 28 22 13 — 63 Lieutenant J. W. Leigh.. 23 19 16 — 58 Volunteer A. L. White .. 21 13 10 — 58 Total *.. .. 1U08 Majority for the Opals 4