Page 11 - Sporting Clays Australia - April 2021

shot one better than his 91 on the first round to finish on 183 and take the top spot on the podium. Jamie Brookes maintained his second place from overnight, while Dan Blackley turned around his first day of shooting, coming from fourteenth overnight to take the bronze on 180. With Matt Hall fourth on 179 and Haydn Brown in fifth place on 177.
A high quality Junior field was on show with over half of the junior entrants having an A or AA rating/handicap. After finishing his second day on 183, Xavier Russell had a nervous wait while back in the sheds as the rest of the field made their way around. In the end, he took the gold as Benjamin Studham came in on 179 for silver, Thomas Bilney impressed with 175 for the bronze medal and Nicholas Brighenti and Jordi Eland also shot well to take fourth and fifth with 170 and 169 apiece.
In the Ladies, a mix of youth and experience was spread across the card with 17 year old Bianca Norris at the end of day 1 in equal second place with Anna Wratten on 82, just behind Emalene Munro on 86.
Norris hit four rounds over 20 on the second day to take it up to Munro. But Munro held strong to build on her overnight lead and take the gold medal by six shots on 176. Norris took the silver on 170 and Anna Wratten bronze with 165. Katrina Hirchfield finished strong on day 2 to take fourth on 156, while Janette Densley rounded out the top five Australian Ladies on 150.
In Open, Blake Nankervis and Chris Brown still could not be split after the first 50 targets on Day 2, each shooting 48 and setting up what would be a gripping final round.
Experienced Australian representatives were dotted throughout the field and produced some quality sportsmanship.
Anthony Panetta finished within 10 of the leaders at the end of the day on 186. Jamie Dunn finished fifth on 189, just holding out Adam Hirchfield on 188 for sixth.
But you could hardly split the top four after the days play with Blake Nankervis and Chris Brown still tied in first place. Both shot a perfect round of 25 on their last rounds to finish in the lead on a world class score of 195. Third and fourth place were also tied, with Jeremy Kent and Adam Shale completing the day on 192.
Under FITASC international competition rules, the Shoot off is held over four stands with six or seven targets on each stand. At the end of the 25 targets if a winner is not determined, competitors will enter a sudden death round with the first shooter to miss being eliminated.
So here we have Chris Brown and Blake Nankervis shooting off for first and second place, while Jeremy Kent will take on Adam Shale to determine third and fourth place overall.
As the crowd gathered in anticipation, the Officials took their place in readiness for the final stage of the two day competition.
All competitors started strongly and good seeing conditions maintained as all four shooters made a clean sweep of the first stand.
There was no letting off on the second stand, another perfect score for all four and the tension was building in the big crowd that were being treated to a fine exhibition of sporting shooting.
In the battle for top spot, Brown hit another clean round on the third stand. But Nankervis missed the third target to give his friendly rival a one shot lead heading into the last stand.Jeremy Kent kept his record in tact as well on the third stand and took a one shot lead, only after Shale missed the last target of the stand 3.
In the Shoot off for third place, the margin remained at one shot after the final stand was shot, with Shale hitting all six and Jeremy Kent holding his nerve to produce a perfect round of 25 to take the Bronze medal.
Looking to emulate Kent’s perfect round in the Shoot off, Brown
faulted on the first shot of the last stand to let Nankervis back into it and he was equal to the challenge, nailing all six on the last stand to take the Shoot off for first place into a sudden death.
While the officials adjusted the targets and the stand position to counter the falling sun, the crowd were wondering how long they might be here for as the two Geelong greats prepared for what will be the final round.
Nankervis won the toss and elected to shoot first but missed the first target leaving Brown with the opportunity to take the crown.
And take it he did as the crowd applauded in recognition of the great contest that they had witnessed.
RESULTS
Open
High Gun – Chris Brown – 195 +24+1
1st – Blake Nankervis – 195 +24+0 2nd – Jeremy Kent – 192 +25
3rd - Adam Shale – 192 +24
Seniors
1st – John Leach – 185
2nd – Robert Passarin – 182 3rd – Donato Sgarbossa – 179
Veteran
1st – Ron Rhook – 185 + 19
2nd – Edward Magee – 185 +18 3rd – Malcolm Whitehead – 175
Master
1st – Alec Ceccato – 171 2nd – Max Kavangh – 167 3rd – Richard Dean – 163
Ladies
1st – Emalene Munro – 176 2nd - Bianca Norris – 170 3rd – Anna Wratten – 165
Junior
1st – Xavier Russell – 183
2nd – Benjamin Studham – 179 3rd – Thomas Bilney – 175
A Grade
1st – Aaron Brookes - 183 2nd – Jamie Baird – 182 3rd – Dan Blackley – 180 4th—Matt Hall - 179
5th - Haydn Brown - 177
B Grade
1st – James Sawyer – 165 2nd – Anthony Arscott – 161 3rd – Bruce Oakley – 160 4th- Craig smith - 159 5th—Torre Ceasar- 159
C Grade
1st – Rod Saligari – 150
2nd – Jamieson Stowe – 145 3rd – Glendon Dickinson – 144 4th—Danny Genovese – 143 5th—Sebastian Angus - 140
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Overall, we saw incredibly high scores shot for the event, so I am certain lots of people were very happy with what they achieved. Lastly, for those of you that haven’t been across to the Rocky Gully Club before, I suggest that you consider the trip and bring the family with you. With plenty to see and do around the area, it is easy to make a holiday of it!