Sporting Clays National Championships
12-13 November 2011

Roger Kerslake from New South Wales intercepts
a fast-moving rabbit target.




Overall High Gun winner John Younger
from Victoria.


Stawell Clay Target Complex President Phil Scott
locks onto a high incoming target.


2011 Sporting Clays National Champion Jeremy
Kent from South Australia.
The Stawell Clay Target Complex in western Victoria hosted an exciting weekend for Sporting Clays shooters on November 12 and 13 when the SSAA Sporting Clays National Championships were held on 12 November, to be followed by a special Commonwealth FITASC 5-Stand Championships the following day. This large clay target complex proved to be an ideal venue, with plenty of space, equipment and excellent facilities to cater for these two events. While more shooters were anticipated to attend, some of the best Sporting Clays shooters from Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales attended to vie for the National Championships and there were generous grade and overall prizes on offer over the weekend.

Under the guidance of President Phill Scott and his team, noted Victorian Sporting Clays shooter Peter Hall skilfully set a Sporting Clays layout of 50 targets that presented competitors with an excellent variety of targets to test their shooting skills. From close-in crossers and incoming targets to battues, loopers and rabbits to fast tower shots and some long-distance crows, everyone had to remain focused on each of the targets to post a respectable score in the 100-target event.

The Championships were officially opened by local member Mr Joe Helper MP, who welcomed all the visitors and spoke enthusiastically about the clay target complex and the shoots held there. Throughout the day, the weather conditions were variable, with strong, gusty winds blowing many of the targets around erratically on many occasions.

At the end of the first day’s competition, Jeremy Kent from South Australia emerged as the 2011 SSAA Sporting Clays National Champion with an excellent score of 89/100. Other winners were:
High Gun: John Younger (Victoria)
AA Grade: Jeremy Kent (89), Reece Turner (87), James Clancy (85)
A Grade: Mark Gibbs and John Torrensan (77) (shoot-off), John Monaghan (75)
B Gade: Phil Dumunesy (72), Brian Hehir (68), Flavio Zanotto (60)
C Grade: Ryan Nielsen (57), Thomas Berttalli (46), Marissa Hall (43)
Veterans: Brian Rafferty (76), John Monghan (75), Keith Cruickshank (68)
Ladies: Nyrie Turner (72), Marissa Hall (43)
Junior U18: Ryan Clancy (70), Jack Gibbs (68)
Junior U15: Ryan Nielsen (57), Bailey Flewley (30), Liam Christian (24)

In the novelty event after the end of the first day’s competition, Victorian Ladies shooter Nyrie Turner claimed the $500 on offer as the most proficient breaker of the 90m clay target. Nyrie demonstrated some fine shooting skills, as she consistently broke a high-flying clay target at such an extreme distance.

Peter Hall again demonstrated his skills as a target setter by having most of the traps strategically placed on the Sporting Clays layout, so they could be quickly converted and made ready for the 5-Stand Championships the following day. With only some minor adjustments to trap placement, four excellent 5-Stand layouts were made ready for Sunday’s competition. Again, each layout had an excellent mix of targets that tested everyone’s skills. The windy conditions continued throughout Sunday, making for some interesting targets.

Victorian competitor John Younger demonstrated his shooting expertise with a skilful display to win the High Gun with a score of 92/100. Other winners were:
AA Grade: Robert Hall (90), Peter Hall and Reece Turner (89) (shoot-off)
A Grade: Mark Gibbs (81), Ryan Clancy (77), Phill Scott (76)
B Grade: Phil Dumunesy (78), Adrian Blandthorn (73), Brian Hehir (64)
C Grade: Ryan Nielsen (65), Marissa Hall (57), Chris O’Neill (55)
Veterans: John Torresan (77), John Monaghan (74), John Argilla (73)
Ladies: Nyrie Turner (64), Marissa Hall (57)
Junior U18: Jack Gibbs (86), Ryan Clancy (72)
Junior U15: Ryan Nielsen (65), Thomas Blirtalli (51), Bailey Flewley (42)

Overall High Guns for both combined scores over both Championships were awarded to:
Veterans: John Torresan (154/200)
Ladies: Nyrie Turner (136)
C Grade: Ryan Nielsen (122)
B Grade: Phil Dumunesy (150)
A Grade: Mark Gibbs (158)
Highest score on Handicap: Phil Dumunesy

The A, B and C Grade High Gun and the Highest Handicap Score winners each won a rimfire rifle, while other category winners received cartridges. The Overall High Gun winner John Younger won the shotgun for the top combined score of 182 over the weekend.

All competitors were able to relax in the comfortable, spacious clubhouse and enjoyed some very tasty catering provided by the canteen ladies throughout the weekend. The office staff capably looked after competitor squadding and the scores.

The shoot was generously sponsored by the SSAA, ELEY and GAMEBORE Cartridges, Bowman Traps, Casella Wines, the Stawell Clay Target Complex and many local Stawell businesses. Thank you to the sponsors and to everyone who participated.

by SSAA Shotgun National Discipline Chairman Warren Brown