Roseville Rifle Club Australia

COVID-19 has played havoc with 2020 schedules and the annual NSDRA Champion of Champion competition was no different. It was delayed…then date was reset…then days beforehand it was cancelled due to new State sport guidelines….then it was un-cancelled with extra precautions put in place…..but yes we finally got there … but only JUST. With such a lead up – it was never going to be a “routine” competition, so of course Mother Nature wanted to have her say too.

Our champs (Phill Hodder – TR, Angus Langsford – Jr TR, Allan Humbert – FTR, Adam Beale – Jr FS) had their work cut out for them battling Mother Nature. For many it felt like you were at Canberra with the wind gusting and howling then dropping off causing both elevation shots as well as windage shots – the centre of the target was certainly hard to find and to keep! The normally sedate Hornsby flags were all over the place and that wind was very cold despite the sunshine. But, each of our RRC champions did us proud and topped at least one range – Well done in trying to tame the beast!

At the end of the day, our two Juniors (Angus and Adam) won their division and were allowed to have a seat in the champion’s chair. Phill and Allan did an admirable job coming second in their divisions. All our Champions were well supported by RRC mates who were working on the day (no spectators allowed). Alas there was no “chairing” ceremony or BBQ or high-fives or handshakes this year – COVID preventing close contact between clubs and people. So this Champion of Champion shoot goes into the record books as one of the toughest and one of the strangest ones on record.

Congrats to Angus and Adam – you earned your spot in the limelight and we are all proud of your dedication to the sport and your accomplishments!

Janet Beale