The major event this week was the inter-island secondary schools match held in Rangiora. Wellington College and Marsden both entered a team of three shooters in this competition. The Marsden team of Neakiry Kivi, Jamie Yee and Jialin Sae-Jiw finished in 6th place, a huge improvement over last year's 14th position, while Wellington College (Stephen Thessman, Callum Osborne and Alex Hill) came 11th. It was fantastic to have five of the six make it through to the North Island secondary schools team to compete against the South Island in the afternoon; and particularly to note Neakiry Kivi had top scored for the North Island (making her North Island captain), while Stephen Thessman was a point lower and second highest for the North Island. Neakiry had been improving all morning, then started the North v South match with an absolutely outstanding 100.7, her first 100 ever. It must be remembered that Neakiry was originally part of this year’s college training squad, moving to the sling in April, so to shoot 100.7 in such a high pressure match was incredible, following this up with a very commendable 96.2, to achieve a total score from the five cards of 484.17 - congratulations to Neakiry on being awarded the top girl trophy last won for Marsden by Andrea Logan (Tuohy) in 2005 and breaking Rangiora High School's five-year hold on this trophy. Neakiry then shot 195 on Sunday morning for the New Zealand team on UK targets, placing her in 6th position in the New Zealand team and top girl overall. Stephen Thessman also had a great weekend, just missing out on selection to the New Zealand team by a mere point. Jamie Yee shot a new PB of 96.4 and was a member of the winning plate team on Sunday; and first-year shooter Alex Hill recorded two scores in the 90s in the college match and improved on UK targets in the plate match with 93 and 92. This was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend, many thanks to Nick Hill and Graeme Osborne for their support. The match will be held in Wellington next year.
The Closed Champs final was held on Wednesday night. Michael Grain shot best on the night with 198.15, to extend his lead in the closed champs competition to six points (795.53), and be the Wellington Closed Champs Open Champion 2014 - congratulations, a great year's shooting in this competition! David Grain finished in 3rd place (784.36) while Meredith Ackrill was 4th (781.40) and Evan Little 5th (781.36).
In club shooting this week, Andrea Tuohy continued to improve, shooting a phenomenal 99.6, while new shooters Ollie Tuohy and Hamish Guthrey also shot well with scores of 91.3 and 90.0 respectively. Rhys Mountain was top D Grade shooter this week, scoring 85.1, and Erin Little top-scored in C Grade with 95.4. It was extremely close in B Grade with Craig Fair an inner below Maor Ben-Shahar's 95.5. Ross Little 97.4 had the top score in A Grade and Pratik Tailor continued his outstanding shooting, scoring 100.8 in Master Grade. Pratik also top-scored in the 20-shot competition with 199.15 which included another 100.8.
Congratulations to Sergey Kladnitski on receiving a runner-up prize for his entry in the WSRA logo design competition. A number of entries were received from many parts of Wellington and every design was considered on its own merit. The judges agreed that Sergey's design was well thought through and answered the brief very well.
Thanks to Luisa Kristen and Stephen Thessman for emailing through their grading returns so promptly. The grading season is now over - please forward your grading returns within the next two weeks for compilation into the club's return.
A reminder that tickets for the WSRA prizegiving dinner on Saturday 11 October need to be purchased at the club by next Sunday. Please come along to enjoy a celebration of this year's achievements. And the BSRC prizegiving barbecue will be held at Craig Fair's house from 4.30pm onwards on Sunday 12 October. All welcome. Please bring meat and drinks.
A reminder that next week is your last chance to catch up on any gaps on the scoreboard you may have.
Upcoming events:
- Sunday 5 October: Final 2014 season club day.
- Wednesday 8 October: Champion of Champions match. Shooters involved to be named Monday 6 October.
- Saturday 11 October: WSRA prizegiving dinner, 6.30pm, tickets $30 each. Family and friends welcome to attend.
- Sunday 12 October: BSRC prizegiving barbecue, 4.30pm, Craig Fair's house. Family and friends welcome to attend. Please bring meat for the barbecue and BYO drinks.