GUN SHOOTING

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20954, 6 November 1939, Page 10

GUN SHOOTING

HAMILTON CHAMPIONSHIPS CLAY BIRD TITLE TO M. PRATT J. DOBSON WINS TROPHY The Hamilton Gun Club’s annual championship match was decided at the club’s ground, at Melville, in good conditions on Saturday afternoon. A following breeze made the clays uncertain in flight at times, but a good standard of shooting was witnessed throughout the afternoon’s events. The championship match was of 21 birds and was shot off 16 yards. The feature of the championship match, which drew entries from 11 shooters, was the fine exhibitions of markmanship which \vere given by M. Pratt and W. Gribble. With the clays made rather tricky by a right following wind, both men were right on the target and until the latter stages, with both all on, it seemed that a shoot-off would be necessary However, when Gribble took the mark for his 16th, a left-hand bird beat him and a similar target got away when he raised his gun for the 18th. Pratt, .however, went right through without a loss to gain the title. His shooting throughout wa? fairly consistent, although at times he was a little too fast for the 16' yard mark and had some close calls. Gribijie’s second place honours were shared by W. J. McMiken, who also gave a good account of himself throughout the match. Last year’s champion, C. Seddon, broke 18 birds to share third place with T. Henry The Reid Cup was also shot for in conjunction with the championship match and the trophy was presented to Pratt by Mr R. Seddon, a lifemember of the club. Trophy Presented The W. J. McMiken trophy, a handsome firescreen, was won by J. Dobson after a shoot-off. Again a left-hand bird cost Gribble his chance of first place for, being the only shotoer with the loss of only one bird, he was beaten by his last clay and a shoot-off with several other shooters was necessary. The results of the day’s shooting were as follows: Hamilton clay bird championship, of 21 birds, off 16 yards: M. Pratt won with the possible and gained first prize money in the accompanying sweep. Second and third money was divided between W. Gribble and W. J. McMiken, with 19 birds each. McMiken trophy shoot, of nine birds: J. Dobson (16yds) won after a shoot-off. First, second and third money in the accompanying sweep was divided between J. Dobson, W. Brink worth (18yds) and W. Gribble (16yds). Gimcrack of six birds: H. Meyer (11yds) and J. Dobson (14yds) broke the possible and divided first and second money. With the loss of one bird each, E. Duncan (18yds) and W. Brinkworth (12yds) divided third money. “Driven game” shoot, competitors to stand 15 yards in front of the trap house: S. Dold, 1; G. McMiken, 2. Second match, from the right side of the trap; C. Seddon 1; D. Livingstone 2. Double rise, of three pairs: M. Pratt (16yds) and W. J. McMiken (14yds) divided with four birds each.