CLAY BIRD SHOOTING

Taranaki Daily News, 20 December 1933, Page 6

CLAY BIRD SHOOTING

OUTSTANDING MARKSMANSHIP.

■ .t- - CHRISTMAS EVENT OF CLUB.

Particularly accurate shooting was the feature of a Christmas shoot held during the week-end by the Stratford Gun Club. “Possibles” were more the rule than the exception, and it was unusual for an entrant “one off” to collect without a division of the sweep. In No. 1 match there were two possibes (9) and two B’s; No. 2 one possible (12) and ■ five H’s; No. 3 one possible (10), and six 9’s; No. 4 six possiblzs (9) and two B’s; No. 5 three possibles (12) and six H’s—only six short of the grand aggregate. The attendance at the trap on Nelson and, Green’s property, East Road, was excellent and in the chief event, the Christmas shoot, there were 15 competitions. Rain fell at times, but no halts were made. Hostesses for afternoon tea were Mesdames G. A. Carter, J. Petrie and B. B. Armstrong, and Messrs Nelson and Green provided hot water and accessories. Mr. W. O’Brien was instrumental in securing donations to the prize fund. The officials were Messrs H. Campbell, referee; G. Harris jun., puller, and C. L. Grant,- secretary. Details are:— Nine bird shoot: G. A. Carter (17yds) 9, J. Winiki (18yds) 9, W. O’Brien (Byds) 8, B. Green (16yds) 8, C. Field (14yds) 7, G. Harris (14yds) 7, J. Duggan (12yds) 7, L. • Knuckey (13yds) 7, L. Sarten (14yds) 6, J. Petrie (17yds), A. Nelson (18yds) and P. Duggan (12yds) also competed. Christmas shoot, 12 birds: A, Nelson (18yds) 12, J. Winiki (19)‘11, J. Petrie (11yds) 11, L. Knuckey (13yds) > 11, L. Sarten . (14yds) 11, H. • Campbell (14yds) 11, G. Harris (14yds) 10, C. Field (14yds) 10, G. A. Carter (18yds) 9, W. O’Brien (18yds) 9, B. Green (16yds) 8. Also competed: J. Muir (12yds), G. Riddick (12 yds), J. Duggan (12yds) and P. Duggan (12yds). ... Yankee shoot off 16 yards, pairs:— Nelson 10, Green 9, .Winiki 9, Sarten 9, Knuckey 9, Petrie 9, Harris 9, Carter 8, O’Brien 8, Field 8, Campbell 7. Nine bird shoot: O’Brien (18yds) 9, Nelson (19yds) 9, Winiki (19yds) 9, Green (16yds) 9, Knuckey (13yds) 9, Harris (14yds) 9, Carter (18yds) 8, Sarten (14yds) 8, Petrie (18yds) 7. Also competed: Campbell (13yds). The six “possibles” decided .to shoot a five-bird match for the money,. but again they shot the lot. Then it was agreed to decide it with a first miss out in the next shoot (Ballistite Cup competition) and Nelson, Harris and Knuckey broke the possible - (12). Continuing on the first miss out principle in the last shoot of the afternoon the two latter went out on the third round—singularly enough owing to both leaving their gains “safe”—in. the third round Nelson broke his clay and won the shoot amid great applause. Ballistite Cup, 12 birds: Nelson (19yds) 12, Knuckey (13yds) 12, Harris (14yds) 12, O’Brien (18yds) 11, Carter (18yds) 11, Petrie (18yds) 11, Winiki (19yds) 11, Sarten (14yds) 11, Green (16yds) 11. Nelson won on a first miss out competition. Green had a chance to win the trophy outright—he has already won it twice—but he missed with his last shot. In the last match of the day, a first miss- out, nine competed and Nelson and Green divided with three breaks each.

Nelson was the most consistent shooter during the afternoon after he broke down in the second round of the opening match. Then he had an uninterrupted run of success, breaking possibles of 12, 10, 14, 12 and 3, His day's tally.

was two misses out of 57. clays. He used his second barrel 11 times. Winiki was hardly less successful, but was unlucky in not getting into Jhe money. His record was: Nine (possible 9), 11 (12), 9 (10), 14 (14), 11 (12). Knuckey’s best figures were: Eleven (12), 9 (10), 14 (14), 12 (12). The return to the trap of George Harris, of Toko, after an absence of several years (he was one of Stratford’s stalwarts in the days of the C.A.C. Cup competitions) was • welcome. Once George got his eye in he shot as well as any of them and his best figures read: Ten (12), 9 (10), 14 (14), 12 (12). . .