THE monthly Mansfield Clay Target Club shoot was held on Sunday in perfect conditions with a light breeze and sunny day.

Seven squads were made up from 35 competitors including club representatives from Alexandra, Euroa, Woods Point, Colbinabbin, Cohuna, Wangaratta, Yarrawonga, Benalla and Alexandra.

The big event for the day was a 50 target Ball Trap being a Victoria Clay Target Association, North East Zone Championship event.

Other events included 25 Target Double Barrel and 25 Target Point Score.

Things got under way with a 5 Target Point score eye opener.

Sharing in the cash divide with 5 first barrel hits delivering a score of 15 were Greg Hipwell from Cohuna, Paul McKendrick, Euroa; Geoff McLure, Alexandra and 9 Mansfield shooters including Phillip Desmond, Darren Clarke, Anthony Kirley, Ken Skinner, Trevor Newman, Al Kidd, John Desmond, Stephen Wilson and Tom Apps.

It was straight into the 25 Target Double Barrel, also a cash divide.

Winners were AA grade, Phillip Matthews (Boarder CTC) 25, Greg Hipwell (Cohuna) 25, Darryl Hunt (Yarrawonga) 25.

A Grade Marty McLachlan (Mansfield) 25, Geoff McLure (Alexandra) 25.

B Grade John King (Euroa) 25, Angela Dillon (Colbinabbin) 25.

C Grade Stephen Wilson (Mansfield) 23, Jason Foster (Mansfield) 23 and Peter Grant (Alexandra) 23.

Shooters were over to layout two for 25 Target Point Score Championship.

Euroa shooter John King had a great event hitting 25 targets, including 24 single barrel, with a score of 74/75.

Two shooters in AA grade came in with 72/75 requiring a shoot off resulting in a win for Phillip Matthews 73/75 over Greg Hipwell 72/75.

A grade; Geoff McLure 72/75 and Phillip Desmond 71/75.

B Grade; John Winters 73/75 and Greg Lawler (Cosgrove) 69/75.

C Grade: veteran Tony Plum (Benalla) 72/75 and local Ben Challen 67/75.

Following a hearty lunch the main event was under way.

Ball trap is shot double barrel with more challenging targets thrown at higher speed and greater angles both vertically and horizontally.

Two AA grade shooters came in with an outstanding result of 49 out of a possible 50 requiring a shoot–off for overall.

The final result was a win for Greg Hipwell 61/62 over Darryl Hunt 60/62.

A Grade; Anthony Kirley 44/50 and Domingo Diaz 43/50.

B Grade also required a shoot–off between Mansfield locals Phillip Desmond and Marty McLachlan, Marty shot 49/54 and Phillip 48/54.

C Grade local Ben Challen 42/50 and Kirsten Chinn (Woods Point) 40/50.

Overall a great day was had by all with shooters, spectators and family members all participating to ensure a smoothly run day of competition with everyone chipping in with scoring, refereeing and generally helping out.

The day's competition and championship sashes were generously sponsored by Mawson's Concrete and Quarries.

Trophies and sashes were presented to winners and place getters on behalf of our sponsor and the club.

Mansfield Clay Target Club hosts two events in April the first a night shoot Saturday, April 2 commencing 6.30pm which includes both state and zone championships; 25 target Double Barrel, 25 Single Barrel, 25 Tower Point Score and 25 Tower Single Barrel.

Then on April 17 commencing 10.30am is the Anzac memorial.

An eye opener will be followed by 25 target Double Barrel, 30 Continental, 40 Ball Trap.

The club is family focused with lunch provided for all attending and all junior shoots sponsored by the club with fees waived for all competitions.

Practice is conducted at the club grounds each Thursday through daylight savings commencing 4pm, Pikes Road, Mansfield.

If you are interested in attending just turn up.