Clay Target Club holds Christmas shoot

THE annual Mansfield Clay Target Club Christmas shoot was held on Sunday in perfect shooting conditions, sunny and calm with clear sky. A field of 38 competitors were divided amongst eight squads with shooters came from far and wide including Alexandra, Euroa, Wangaratta, Melbourne, Woods Point and a visitor from Tasmania. The day's events were not about record book shooting, but about getting together to celebrate the end of the shooting calendar for 2022 with like minded friends. In keeping with Christmas shooting tradition a mixed bag of unorthodox programs was held with the normal competitive nature of trap shooting taking second stage to having fun. All attending shooters received a club prize of a leg of ham ensuring an even spread of festive cheer. The highest scoring shooters per grade over the combined day's events also received an additional hamper of goodies. The first event was a twenty crossing targets shot from 18 meters thrown from the skeet towers as pairs. The first target left to right from the high house and the second released right to left from the low house, the second target released after the first target was shot at (on report). This was followed by a walk–forward, walk–back with shooters starting at 16 meters and shooting 'down the line' double barrel targets, advancing one meter at a time to 11 metres, then each metre going backwards to 25 metres, 20 targets in total. These two events were followed by a Christmas lunch with all the usual trimmings and way too many deserts coordinated by the whole team with assistance from Pam, Anne, Aileen, Jill and Ivy. This was well enjoyed by competitors, spectators, family and friends. After lunch the third competition was a 20 target double barrel, with five different presentations including tower, DTL, looping in–comer, crosser and a right to left rabbit. Lots of fun and some laughs. The last segment of the day was a 20 target double barrel, silent rise. A target was released at a random time by the referee after the shooter mounted her or his gun to the shoulder, bit of a challenge but with some excellent results. As usual all shooters were supported by family members who participated by scoring, refereeing and generally helping out to ensure a successful day. All who attended contributed to the festivities by bringing along something to munch on, or a raffle prize. At the end of the day everyone left with a leg of ham sponsored by the club. Additional hamper prizes for graded high guns went to AA grade Angus Cameron; A grade Mitch Dunnachie; B grade Shaun Kirley and C grade Melbourne Junior Dylan Naylor. The day's overall competition was sponsored by Mansfield Clay Target Club and Foodworks Mansfield. The annual high gun prizes were also presented with Jason Foster taking overall 1436/1690, Veteran Geoff McLure 1253/1630, Lady Kirsten Chinn 1130/1530 and Junior Carson Weignott 506/805. All will be inscribed on club trophies as a record of their achievement. As part of the presentations Club President, John Desmond, offered seasons cheer and thanks for all who chipped in through the year to make the club the success that it is. Mansfield Clay Target Gun hosts the North East Zone shoot the third Sunday of each month; the next program will be Sunday January 15, 2023 at 10:00am. Spectators and new shooters who wish to come and try always welcome. The club is family focused with lunch provided and all junior shooters competition fees sponsored. If you are interested in attending or want to come along and try, just turn up to the club, Pikes Road Mansfield. Each Thursday throughout daylight savings the club will be open for practice from 4.00pm.

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