Annual Golden Clay attracts a big field of shooters

Competitors in Cobar’s Golden Clay Double Barrel shoot off on Saturday afternoon included Darryn Nicholson from Broken Hill, Cobar shooter Sam Nardi (who was 1st in A Grade) and Victorian Phil Grainger.

The Cobar Clay Target Club held their 43rd annual Golden Clay and NSW Junior Masters Championship shoot over the weekend with Newcastle shooter Tom Turner winning the coveted Overall Golden Clay Championship.

The Overall Highgun Golden Clay Trophy, sponsored by Peak Gold Mine, was once again a 9ct solid gold miniature clay.

The event attracted a great crowd with shooters this year coming from Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales.

Friday night was the commencement of the weekend carnival, with the Night Point Score, sponsored by KML Industries P/L, being contested in cold conditions.

A field of 97 braved the chilly weather with some local shooters successful in their respective grades including: Robert Thompson, who was Overall 1st in the Night Point Score event with 90/90; Sam Nardi, 95/96, 1st in A Grade; Dick Tulloh, 92/96, 2nd A Grade; and Jason Mitchell, 84/90, 2nd C Grade.

The skies were clear and sunny on Saturday morning which brought out 136 shooters to contest both the Golden Clay and NSW Junior Masters programs.

In the 30 Target Point Score Championship sponsored by Dubbo Powerhouse, local shooters who placed were Ray Jenkins, 88/90, 1st B Grade; Dick Tulloh, 91/93, 2nd A Grade; Jason Mitchell, 88/93, 2nd C Grade.

Molly Barraclough received the Encouragement award for the Junior Masters.

In the 45 Target Doyle’s Electrical Medley event, Sam Nardi finished with 118/125.

In the 30 Target Double Barrel Championship, sponsored by SH Shooting, Nardi scored 119/120 to win A Grade; Garry Jones, 49/50, 2nd A Grade; Jarrod Barraclough, 33/34, 2nd B Grade and Mitchell, 28/30, 2nd C Grade.

It was windy on Sunday morning for the start of the 30 Target Single Barrel Championship, sponsored by CADJ Carwash and M&C Parisi Motorcycles.

Local results were: Blake Dunne, 29/30, 2nd A Grade; Ben Tranter, 32/34, 2nd B Grade; and Greg Brush, 27/33, 2nd C Grade.

James Mitchell received the Encouragement award for the Junior Masters.

In the 30 Target Bryan’s Empire Hotel Mafeesh Handicap, (which is also run as a Calcutta), four competitors shot a possible (perfect) score, with John Martin winning the shoot-off with a score of 39/39.

In the 15 Pair Double Rise Championship sponsored by Endeavor Operations and Steel Supplies Dubbo, Mitchell, 29/40, was 1st in C Grade. Brush, with 28/40 was 2nd in C Grade.

Goulburn shooter and former Cobar resident, Troy Cook, was 1st in A Grade with 26/30.

Adrian Depaoli, from Griffith, was the Junior Masters Champion of Champions with a score of 144/150.

Highgun winners were: Ladies—Tracey Barton 265/285; Veterans—Clifford Dykes 264/285; Juniors—Adrian Depaoli 272/285; C Grade—Jason Mitchell 246/285; B Grade—Stephen Tomlinson 258/285; A Grade—Sam Nardi 262/285; AA Grade—Roger Duthie and Matthew Stokes 275/285; and Overall, Tom Turner 280/285.—contributed