COMPETITION kicked off at 10:30am with a field of 34 shooters, making up six squads participating in the annual Highland Shield teams event, Mansfield v Euroa v Alexandra.

Conditions were ideal with mild sunny weather and no wind.

The four event card commenced with 10 Target Point Score eye opener followed by 30 Target Point Score, 30 Target Double Barrel and finally a 20 Target Handicap.

Participating visiting shooters attended from Melbourne, Woods Point, Benalla, Wangaratta, Corowa, Yarrawonga, Colbinabbin, Euroa and Alexandra.

Events three and four were combined over five team members representing each club to compete for the Highland Shield.

Mansfield fielded two squads, Alexandra and Euroa one each.

Event one was an eye opener cash divide with lots of perfect scores of 30/30 shot across all grades, in the money were AA grade: Andrew Cameron (Melbourne Cricket Club) and Bill Forrest (Mansfield); A grade: Laurie Fitzpatrick (Euroa), Geoff McLure (Alexandra), Marty McLachlan (Mansfield); B Grade: Phil Woods (Yarrawonga) and Al Kidd (Mansfield); C Grade: Kim Thompson (Colbinabbin).

This led straight into the point score double barrel event, also a cash divide, but this time with only one clear winner per grade.

AA Grade: Andrew Fiek (MCC); A Grade: Phillip Desmond (Mansfield); B Grade: Jason Foster (Mansfield); C Grade: Stephen Wilson (Mansfield).

After a quick warming lunch of pastries and hot dogs it was into the 30 Target Double Barrel with some outstanding shooting resulting in a shoot–off between six competitors who returned a perfect score.

A further 31 targets were shot by Darryl Hunt (Yarrawonga) and Marty McLachlan (Mansfield) to decide a result with Darryl victorious.

Grade winners were AA: Andrew Cameron 57/58; A Grade: Marty McLachlan 60/61 and Ken Skinner 36/37; B Grade: Jason Foster 33/34 and John King 37/38; C grade: Stephen Wilson 29/30 and David Luelf 30/33.

A delicious afternoon tea was supplied by Ivy Desmond comprising nut loaf and scones, a big thanks to you Ivy.

The day was rounded up with the 20 Target Handicap.

Metreage for each shooter was determined by their handicap mark.

Marty McLachlan was lucky enough to be the only shooter across the line with a perfect score and Darryl Hunt the only shooter with 19/20.

A further seven competitors hit 18 targets requiring a shoot–off for third, after seven more targets the last man standing was Michael Cecchetto (MCC).

The total score contributing to the outcome of the Highland Shield was tallied from five competitors in each squad.

The Mansfield team made up of Bill Forrest, Marty McLachlan, Phillip Desmond, David Luelf and Ken Skinner took the shield over the other three squads with a score of 224 out of a possible 250.

It was a fun day blessed with great weather throughout with all attendees refereeing and generally helping out to ensure a successful day.

The competition was generously sponsored by Shane Callahan of Callahan Seed.