Queensland State IRB Championships
13-14 February 2010

Junior Braydon Elliott.


High target 250.13 is Steve Blaine.


Top three L-R: Barry Hilzinger, Mitchell Tallar
and John Patzwald. The SSAA Warwick Branch hosted the first Qld IRB State Championships on February 13 - 14, 2010. These were the first State Championships in Australia as the southern states are still developing the new discipline. A large field of rimfire shooters descended on the small club, coming from as far away as Mackay in the north and Coffs Harbour in the south.

The weather was hot and breezy both days with occasional gusts during the afternoon and 180o switches regularly. There were plenty of BRT wind flags positioned across the range to indicate the tricky conditions. Some shooters were patient enough to work it out, while others were scratching their heads in bewilderment as shots went flying out into the blue area of the target centre for no apparent reason. That’s rimfires!

On Saturday, young Mitchell Tallar (a junior from Tamworth) put down three very consistent scores of 246.12, 245.11 and 247.7 - total 738.30, to lead from Toowoomba shooter John Patzwald (244.12, 248.9, 242.13) total 734.34. In 3rd place was Brisbane’s Allan Smith with 733.25 (247.10, 242.10, 244.5). The highest score for the day went to Steve Blaine of Millmerran with a 250.13.

Sunday started a little cooler but the breeze was up again and more switchy than the day before. It was harder to score central dots and everyone experienced the ‘fliers’. Highest-scoring target was Mitchell with 247.10. John Patzwald (736.27) managed to score one point more than Mitchell Tallar (735.29), followed by Brisbane shooter Barry Hilzinger (725.23).

The scores from both days were compiled and the gold medal went to Mitchell Tallar, silver to John Patzwald and bronze to Barry Hilzinger. The Junior medals were Mitchell Tallar (gold), Brandon Apsey (silver) and Braydon Elliot (bronze).

Thanks to Mal Smith and all the club volounteers for a well organised event.