March/April 2009 - New Zealand Clay Target Association

northland
Whangarei Combined
The greatest battle though was fought by two “C” Grade shots
from Tauraroa Area School, ably coached by “old hand” Jock
districts Gun Club at Mangapai Hay. Jock has about a dozen new shooters coming on as our
life blood!
6-7 December 2008
Beautiful settled weather greeted us and one could not but
feel very fortunate to be able to take part.
About 9 squads turned up, a reduced number, as we have
seen through the year.
From a shooter’s point of view this is not necessarily a bad
thing as it makes for less waiting time between disciplines.
Particularly Skeet has a habit of holding things up as an
average round takes 20 minutes. With two fields operating the
math is not too hard. If 20 squads turn up it takes 200 minutes
or about 3.5 hours!
However skeet is important as it has been the downfall of
many a DTL specialist.
Skeet: This year NO possibles were shot! It was no real surprise
outcome that A Grader John Dangen (W.C.G.C.) won the event
after a brief shoot off with Andrew Slattery (Whatitiri).
Double Rise: Once again no possibles; Mark Shaw (Kaitaia)
won outright with 19/20.
The minis produced two possibles by Martin van de Wetering
(Thames) and Laurie Coppins (Waitemata). The HOA was taken
out by Martin.
In the Triples again Martin van de Wetering this time met Bill
Becroft (Kaikohe). Martin took that out as well after a 5/5/5/
shoot off.
Day two also promised good scores although changes in light
at our club can often produce the odd ‘Flurry of Misses” and in
the sky there were some pesky old little cotton balls around.
Shoots offs:
Single Rise: S/R promised fireworks (read: long drawn-out
session). 10 “A” graders, 3 ”B” graders and two “C” graders had
shot the possible! As it turned out the business was done in
“A” grade in about half an hour over 3 rounds with Ian Marshall
(Whitianga) HOA. and Ian Hovenden (Waitemata), George
Gee (W.C.G.C.), and Hayden Coote (W.C.G.C) 1st 2nd and 3rd
runners up.
A happy Bill Becroft with the “Perry North Cup” (shooters above
the Warkworth region) and Secretary Toni Gee
In the shortest of times the two boys, Brendon Graham and
Brad Boniface, carried on to the point where we were taking
bets on who would blink first! (They will not be “C” Grade for
long either!). As it turned out Brad had a magnificent second
barrel as at times he had us hold our breath by just about
doing every bird in two shots! (Raise the comb?). In the end he
won too! 48/47.
The two lads and classmates had the widest smiles ever seen
as they were applauded off the field.
Points Score: This was virtually a single barrel contest
between Rob Smith, Logan Campbell, Bill Becroft, Nick Gavin
and Ethan Erceg. First to drop out, after the first five, were
Nick Gavin and Bill Becroft. Of the three shooters remaining
Rob Smith blinked first with a second barrel, after which Ethan
Erceg sealed his fate with a dropped target, to leave up and
coming Logan Campbell as HOA.
Single Barrel: “A” Grade possibles were Dave Wordley, Bill
Becroft, Ian Marshall, Chris Erceg, Ethan Erceg, Bradley Oliver
and Ron Thompson. Two rounds of five on two traps saw the
field whittled down to four. Ian Marshall dropped out first
followed by Chris Erceg. Dave Wordley and Ron Thompson
battled for another 11 targets until Dave missed, making Ron
Thompson the winner! “B” Grade came down to Lois Frame
and Richard Broughton who went for 20 targets until Lois let
Richard win in the end.
A special mention must be made about Bill Becroft who on
day two did not drop a target in the qualifiers. His impeccable
style was just something to watch. Needless to state that he
won the High Gun for the two days. Well done Bill!
Full Results:
Skeet: HOA. John Dangen 24, A grade: 1st Andy Slattery 24,
2nd Mark Shaw 23, 3rd Chas Mellor 23. B grade: 1st Craig
Pulman 24,2nd Richard Broughton 24, 3rd John Hendriks. C
grade 1st C Josh Wilson 19, 2nd C Tim Mannion 18, 3rd C Jack
Steeneveld18.
D/Rise: HOA: Mark Shaw 19. A grade 1st A Laurie Coppins 18,
2nd A Ian Marshall 18, 3rd A Nick Gavin. B grade 1st Maurice
Bourke 17, 2nd Lois France, 3rd B Grahame Powell. 1st C grade
Yvonne Slattery 11. (No other placings)
Minis: HOA. Martin van de Wetering 15, A grade 1st Laurie
Coppins 15, 2nd Ian Marshall 14, 3rd Mark Shaw 14. B grade
1st Richard Broughton 14, 2nd Pete Skrine 12, 3rd Maurice
Bourke 11, C grade 1st Yvonne Slattery
Triples: HOA. Martin van de Wetering 50, A grade 1st Bill
Becroft 50, 2nd David Wordley 49, 3rd Graham Forbes 49, B
grade 1st Lois France 48, 2nd Jack Steeneveld 47, 3rd Pete
Skrine 44, C grade 1st C Yvonne Slattery 44.
Single Rise: HOA. Ian Marshall 25. A grade 1st Ian Hovenden
25, 2nd George Gee 25, 3rd Hayden Coote 25. B grade 1st Joel
Brenstrum 25, 2nd Bradley Oliver 25, 3rd Paul Marshall 25.
C grade 1st Brad Boniface 24, 2nd Brendon Graham 24, 3rd
Yvonne Slattery23.
Gunshot 32