Roseville makes its mark on the 93rd Mudgee DRA Open Prize Meeting
Approximately 50 shooters took part in the 93rd Mudgee DRA Open Prize Meeting over the Easter long weekend on Saturday 4th and 5th April 2015. Roseville was well represented with Mark Buchanan, Phill Hodder, Tim Walter, Gary Faulkner and Michael Cuda making the pilgrimage west to compete in this annual event. Tim’s son Ian Walter also joined the group to provide moral support and enjoy all the fruits that Mudgee had to offer.
Saturday morning saw storm clouds descend over the range with persistent rain plaguing shooters throughout the day.
Despite the inclement weather, Mark started strongly in A Grade TR on Saturday at 500yds scoring 49.6, followed by 50.6 to take 3rd position in the second match and finishing with 49.4. Day two at 600 yds saw Mark score highly with 50.4, 50.6 and another 50.6 to win the last match and take second position for the day’s aggregate. Mark finished the weekend in second position for the grand aggregate with a total 298.32, only narrowly missing 1st position to West Wallsend’s Duncan Davies who scored 300.40. Mark also took out 1st place for the Veteran’s category.
Phill started strongly in A Grade TR on Saturday at 500yds, only dropping 2 points, with 148.13 in the daily aggregate, followed by 144.12 for Sunday’s aggregate at 600 yds and finishing overall with 292.23.
Also in A Grade TR, Tim shot 141.9 in the aggregate on Saturday and 141.8 on Sunday, however towards the end of the weekend he discovered that his rifle had a loose butt plate that had been causing problems with his hold. Tim finished the weekend 282.17.
In F Standard A Grade, Michael took third place in the second 500yd match on Saturday with 60.5, however Orange Rifle Club’s Brett Bond took first place with 60.8 and dominated most of the matches throughout the weekend. Day two at 600 yds saw both Gary and Michael break Brett Bond’s winning streak – tricky winds during the last match on Sunday caused havoc with most F-Class shooters, however Gary took first place with 58.6 and Michael third place with 58.2. Michael scored 59.4 and 60.4 in the earlier matches on day two and took 1st place for Sunday’s aggregate with 177.10, narrowly beating Brett Bond with 175.18. Michael finished the weekend in 3rd place in the grand aggregate with a total of 348.17 closely followed by Gary in 4th position with 344.22. The grand aggregate winner was Brett Bond who scored 353.38