McAuliffe Shield Round 3 2018 Pennant Season
The year is flying along and we have already completed the third round of the McAuliffe Shield Short Range Pennant Shoots, Shot over two ranges at 500 yards and one at 600 yards. This Saturday the 11 of May ECDRA traveled to the Shepparton / Nathalia range at Nathalia to contest the third round of the McAuliffe Shield against the Shepparton / Nathalia Gold Team.
It was along trip for Captain Neal Hambridge, involving over four hours traveling. Captain Neal mustered the ECDRA team and sorted the wind coaches with the instruction to do the very best you can. The Club shoot last week and the low scores in round 2 all conspired to keep the shooters and coaches focused as they dealt with a range many had not shot on before.
Above Paul Watkins Shooting a 59.5 on the Wednesday prior
The shoot was also a chance to try out the electronic targets that the Shepparton Club had built themselves, there were no negative reports as the range worked well for both teams all day, well done Shepp/Nathalia.
Terry Gee showed the way for the ECDRA and when the scores were toted up he had shot well to his handicap finishing with the maximum score of 180 points. Captain Neal Hambridge was hot on his heals with another 180 points on handicap. Graeme Kerr was only two points behind on 178 and Paul Watkins was next with Rosco Davis both with 176 points. The team shooting 890.52 out of a possible 900 just 10 points down on the maximum possible score.
Graeme Kerr said that the wind was a challenge for the coaches but the shooters all were very focused and that made it so much easier to keep the shots in the X ring, the top scoring zone. Paul Watkins was pleased that he “made” the team and both he and Rosco said that they thought they could have shot better. We look forward to that, especially if everyone can shoot to their handicap and score the maximum 180 points. The win puts the ECDRA on the Pennant board for the McAuliffe Shield and the Avenel Shield.