ILFRACOMBE'S clay target club kicked off a new year of competition with the largest "out of town" shoot ever hosted by the club when 36 shooters travelled to John and Sheila Back's property Navarre to get their eye in.
The very thirsty country down the Dandaraga Road was visited by 'Cyclone Angus' MacDonald from the Blackall club, who travelled back home with a coveted monthly mug and a score of 95/100 under his belt.
"It looks like the Blackall club may be peaking too early in their bid to try and win the Alice River shield in March," Ilfracombe club captain Davo Back teased.
"The question has to be asked, can they maintain this form? We have seen them fade after a good early showing in the past."
Other Blackall club members who travelled west included Andrew and Christine Adams, Joe and Ashley Taylor, Sally Cripps and Peter Molle, joined by Bevan Doyle from Jericho, Paul and Joanne Taylor from Barcaldine, Scott Milne, the Magoffin family and David and Sam Fysh from Muttaburra, Alan McPherson from Isisford, and a number of locals.
The afternoon program was completed thanks to the assistance of Rob Hoolihan bringing a second trap along.
Angus MacDonald equal topped the first event, a point score, with host John Back, each shooting 59/60.
C grade shooter Sally Cripps shot 57/60 for third, breaking all her clays and pulling just three second barrels.
The double-barrel event again saw Angus and John just one point down, along with Bevan Doyle, Rob Hoolihan, Joe Taylor and Alan McPherson.
Joanne Taylor, Martin Hoolihan and Joe Taylor tied for first with an impressive 18/20 in the single barrel, despite overcast skies, black clays and a black dirt background combining to make the targets hard to spot.
A 10-pair Deaville doubles wrapped up the afternoon, when youthful Martin Hoolihan and Cookie Dolgner teamed up to show Angus MacDonald and Kenny Hoolihan how it was done in the shoot-off.
Sally Cripps
Journalist
Journalist
