The SSAA Coffs Harbour branch held the 2016 National Rimfire Light and Heavy Benchrest Championships on February 18 and 19, followed by the National IRB Championships on February 20 and 21. The club hosted 56 shooters in Light Benchrest, 75 in Heavy Benchrest and 66 in IRB – the most the Dairyville range has ever fielded. This meant four and five details of shooters on differing days, but all who took part said they had a great time and praised the efforts of the volunteers for a smooth and well-run shoot.

February is traditionally the area’s wettest month so fingers and toes were crossed for fine weather. Lo and behold, the competitors were blessed with a combination of sunshine and wind, with just a minor shower on Sunday. Plenty of good scores were recorded, with Alan Marsh shooting an Australian Record at 50 yards in the Light Benchrest with a screamer of .092.

A total of seven juniors were involved for all four days: Jeremy Hannaford, Caden Bardell, Mel Frost, Karl Simpson, Braithen Adnams, Lach Williamson and Tiffany Tarrant. Local hopeful Hannaford came away as the Top Junior in the Rimfire event with a total score of .9285 finishing in 22nd place overall, while Bardell, from Queensland, took out Top Junior in the IRB thanks to a score 1478.79 and was placed seventh overall. It was a fine showing by these up and coming youngsters.

A big thank you went out to the hardworking crew and there was a special mention to Tansie, who was a great help during the IRB Championships. Together, they made the four days of shooting the success it was.