OPAKI RIFLEMAN STILL IN LEAD AT THE NATIONAL MEETING

Wanganui Chronicle, 25 February 1947, Page 5

OPAKI RIFLEMAN STILL IN LEAD AT THE NATIONAL MEETING

(P.A.) Trent ham M.C., Feb 24. Following some brilliant morning shooting over 300 and 600 yards, marksmen found the wind conditions most disconcerting in the afternoon shoot at 900 yards when the National Rifle Championships were resumed at Trentham to-day. Among these to strike a tricky patch was the leader, H. King (Opaki), who returned 37. However, his excellent scores in the previous matches, which included three possibles, enabled him to retain his position.

The closest challenger is D. J. Flynn, a promising young Featherston shot, who returned a brilliant 45 at 900 yards and is only one point behind King. With a good light prevailing and the Ballinger Belt matches finishing early, opportunity was taken to shoot off the Service Championship. This was won by a young Upper Hutt rifleman, R. H. Whiteman, who recorded some excellent performances during the championship. R. H. Nicholl (Petone) and his club mate, E. A. Ballinger, tied for second place, Nicholl winning the shoot-off. The leading scores for the Ballinger Belt are: H. King (Opaki) 281; D. J. Flynn (Featherston) 280; R. O. Bui l (Gisborne), D. P. Donald (Opaki), 276; E. J. Soler (Wanganui) 275: M. Hausmann (Ashhurst) 273; M. Gordon (Okawa). R. F. Marshall (Wesfport), J. I. King (Karori), A. H O’Donnell (Petone). C. J. Nix (Featherston) 272: J. W. Johnson (Featherston), A. H. Sowerby (Old Navals), H. C. Percy (Alfredton), R H. Nicholl (Petone) 271: J. R. Keogh (Westport), R. W Ballingell (Auckland City), A. A. Ford (Invercargill), R. F. Marshall (Westport) 270. H V. Donad (Opaki), S. L. Lumsden (Levin), L. S. Hare (Karori), W J. Burton (Gisborne). R. C. Russell (Auckland City), S. C Aanesen (Ohau), H. W. Pedersen (Nanier), W. N. Masefield (Blenheim) 269. Service Championship (£6 and the Ross Carbine Belt) R. H Whiteman (Upper Hutt), 230, 42—272, £5 and silver medal. R. H. Nichol (Pelone), 227, 43—270, £4 and bronze medal. E. A. Ballinger (Petone), 227, 43 270, £3. H. V. Donald (Opaki). 265, £2. F. B. Haycock (Petone), 264, £l. W. H. Burton (Gisborne), C. M. Pickering (Opaki>, 262; O. W. Sandford (Karori) 261; J. Sim (Okawa), F. J. Soler (Wanganui), R. R. Torrie (Akarana), 260; W. D. Milne (Gore) 258; J. R. Keoghan (Westport), W. M. Holland (Ashburton), 257; A. R Symons (Auckland City) 256; A. R. Tantrum (Nelson). G. Neville (Whangarei), 255; C. D. Elliott (Karori) 254; G. N. Perkins (Westport) 253; R. Barrow (Cheltenham) 252. The Simmonds Cup, which went to the highest score in the Service Championship final was won bv G. Beattie (Okawa) with 47.