Neil Walsh Memorial at Clay Target Club

THE monthly Mansfield Clay Target Club shoot was held on Sunday in sunny and windy conditions. Competitors included club representatives from Mornington, Echuca, Alexandra, Benalla, Euroa, Wangaratta, Woods Point, MCC and Bendigo. The event was the Neil Walsh Memorial which included a 50 Target Point Score Championship followed by a 50 Target Double Barrel Championship, which was generously sponsored by Nicholas Kirley and the Walsh family. Things kicked off with an eye–opener being 10 target point score, cash divide. Seven shooters came in with a perfect score of 30 and a share of the cash. AA grade, Angus Cameron and Mick Ward, A grade, Marty McLachlan, B grade Ian Cameron and John Winters, C grade, David Luelf and Laurie Poile. Then it was straight into the first leg of the main events starting with 25 target Point Score off layout one immediately followed by 25 off layout two. Overall winner with a score of 147 from a possible 150 was Angus Cameron (Melbourne CC) who shot all targets with three being second barrel hits. Accompanying his score was Mick Ward (Woods Point) 143. A grade, Marty McLachlan (Mansfield) 142 and Daniel Chinn (Woods Point) 138. B grade, Allan Kidd (Mansfield) 137 and John Winters 134. C grade, Tom Apps (Mansfield) 139 and Iain Towers (Euroa) 137. The second half of the competition was divided by a magnificent chicken, ham and salad lunch after which event two got under way. Three shooters returned a score of 50/50; Darryl Hunt (Yarrawonga), Marty McLachlan (Mansfield) and Fred Heinze (Bendigo) who shot off for overall honours. Darryl fell away after two targets with the two remaining shooters slogging it out for a further 20 targets before Fred was victorious, taking out overall. Darryl was delegated to second AA grade and Marty first in A grade. A grade second was Neil Ham (Echuca) on 49. All other grades also required shoot–offs as deciders including B grade which was a Mansfield tussle between Trevor Newman 57/60 and John Winters 56/60, C grade, Kirsten Chinn (Woods Point) 52/54 and Jason Foster (Mansfield) 51/54. The Neil Walsh perpetual award was won by Angus Cameron with an overall result from events two and three with 195/200. Veteran winner was Neil Ham 186/200, lady winner Julie Hogan 172/200 and Junior Ryan Walsh 120/200. The day's competition was sponsored by Nicholas Kirley and the Walsh family. Club vice–president John Winters presented awards and sashes on behalf of the sponsors to all winners. A fun 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. New and some returning members were welcomed to the club including Denny Walker, Ben Challen, Ryan, Jake and John Walsh. New junior Luke Morrow showed some fine potential with a score of 21/25 in the last leg of the double event which was recognised with an achievement award. A special mention also goes out to Jason Foster who shot the Seaside Classic at Warrnambool last weekend and making Mansfield CTC proud by taking out first place in the handicap event over approximately 200 other competitors in very windy conditions. Quite an achievement with Jason taking home a Beretta shotgun, overall winner's sash and some spending money. Congratulations Jason. Mansfield Clay Target Club will host a tower and skeet competition on March 6 at 10.30am. The next trap shoot will be the usual third Sunday of the month, March 20. Spectators and new shooters welcome. The club is very family focused with lunch provided and all junior shoots sponsored by the club with all junior fees waived for all competitions. Practice is conducted at club grounds each Thursday through daylight savings commencing 4pm, Pikes Road Mansfield.

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