New Zealand Deerstalkers' Association

Protecting Hunters' Rights in New Zealand

Scoped Rifle Report and Results

Report - Malcolm Perry, 3P Team Support

This report only covers the Scoped Rifle events although Benchrest, Silhouette and Service Rifle were involved also.

Scoped Rifle Team

NZDA Scoped Rifle Team - Auckland Airport
Back - Left to Right: Mark Poots and Sue Gavin
Middle - Left to Right: Colin Curreen, Grant Botting, Hilary Heard and Brenda Perry
Front - Left to Right: Mike Bailey and Ian Williamson.

To start at the beginning we had an early rise on Wednesday 5th to be at the Auckland airport at 6.30am for check in ready for 9.25 departure. No problems with luggage or customs and the flight was great. In his welcome aboard speech, the captain specifically mentioned the NZ Sports Shooting Team; a nice touch and one of the advantages of going dressed as a team. I always thought Brisbane was three hours away but our plane landed in Brisbane 9.55am (NZ) time, different story coming home.

On the way to our hotel we stopped off at the range to leave our rifles in the armoury where the quantity of what appeared to be club firearms was impressive indeed.

Opening Ceremony

Opening Ceremony.

The remainder of the afternoon was free time with the official opening ceremony to kick off at 6.00pm. This was a great chance to catch up with old friends for those of us who have competed against the Aussies before, and a chance for new team members to acquaint with those they would be on range with, an enjoyable occasion.

Thursday 6th - Practice day at the range, which also served as a practice run for the draw for the following day. Members were able to practice R/F and C/F, with the only problem I am aware of, being that Brenda’s C/F rifle requiring an eighteen minute windage adjustment, a bit of a worry, was it going to give problems, but no further problem and still don’t know why.

An interesting situation arose while Hilary and Colin were shooting R/F. Two magpies walked up the slight rise in front of them virtually under their line of fire and comments were passed as to the risk they would be taking in NZ; they are of course a protected native over there. An easy day finished with all the team dining out for dinner - one of the great things about being with a team away from home.

Friday 7th - Time to get serious, and as it turned out the Kiwi’s showed they were not just having a holiday. Rimfire teams event, two to a team 3x40 3P match - not a match to attempt in competition without practice and this trip we had done that pretty well.

After it was all over the NZ C team Grant Botting and Mike Bailey both of Taupo branch took the Gold medal and NZ A Colin Curreen and Brenda Perry took Bronze.

C Team

Left to Right: Chris Gulvin (Aus), Kadiejane Tirkot (Aus), Mike Bailey, Grant Botting, Brenda Perry and Colin Curreen.

The Australians had a young lady in their team this year, and although I heard rumours of some negative feelings about that, she certainly proved her place being involved in several of the medals the Australians gained, and paired with Chris Gulvin, Kadiejane and Chris gained the Silver team’s medal.

Although not awarded in this match, Grant Botting had a very personal best by being top score for the day with 1116.29, well done on first international competition.

Saturday 8th - R/F individual, same matches as teams Kiwis, but not so lucky this time; our top 3 shooters placings: Colin Curreen 5th; Grant Botting 6th; Brenda Perry 7^th - close together only 4 points between them. The medal winners: Chris Gulvin Gold; Rod Frisby Silver, Dave McCarthy Bronze.

Sunday 9th - C/F teams and Individual combined. This match 3x20 shot 3P. The NZ team found a couple of medals this time. Brenda Perry missed the Gold by just 3 inners - Kadiejane Tirkot Gold, Brenda Perry Silver, and Chris Gulvin Bronze.

Centre Fire

Left to Right: Brenda Perry, Kadiejane Tirkot (Aus), and Chris Gulvin (Aus).

Team medals: Kadiejane and Chris Gold, Colin and Brenda Silver, Rod and Dave Bronze. There were some names that kept appearing in the medal list.

Colin and Brenda

Left to Right: Colin Curreen, Brenda Perry, Kadiejane Tirkot (Aus), Chris Gulvin (Aus), Rod (Aus), and Dave (Aus)

There was also a team award for the two gun and as we had different C teams in each event, four Kiwis shared a place in this award: Gold Chris and Kadiejane (again); Silver Colin and Brenda; Bronze Mike Bailey, Grant Botting and Mark Poots, Hilary Heard.

Two Gun

Left to Right: Colin Curreen, Brenda Perry, Chris Gulvin (Aus), Kadiejane Tirkot (Aus), Grant Botting, Hilary Heard, Mark Poots and Mike Bailey.

A few notes of interest; Although the weather was overcast on all but one day we drank lots of water - 4 litres each per day - that was bottled water by the 4lt bottle, 2 for $5-00.

Late on the Saturday afternoon when the last detail was shooting we had a shower of rain that lasted all of five minutes but enough for me to see wet targets in Aussie for the first time in three trips.

The trip finished with a presentation dinner that had an interesting show of the extra talents of the Samoan silhouette team when they entertained us with a few songs.

Samoan Team

Samoan Silhouette Team.

A great trip with few of the upsets we had in 2006, and more medals.

Congratulations to the medal winners on both sides of the Tasman.

NZDA Scoped Rifle Team with their medals

NZDA Scoped Rifle Team with their medal haul - Carindale Hotel, Brisbane
Back - Left to Right: Mark Poots, Hilary Heard, Grant Botting and Ian Williamson.
Front - Left to Right: Brenda Perry, Sue Gavin, Mike Bailey and Colin Curreen.

Photo Gallery

Scoped Rifle Team

NZDA Scoped Rifle Team and Supporters - Auckland Airport
Back - Left to Right: Mark Poots and Sue Gavin.
Middle - Left to Right: Malcolm Perry, Colin Curreen, Grant Botting, Hilary Heard, Brenda Perry and Ian Williamson's partner.
Front - Left to Right: Mike Bailey, Ian Williamson and Sandi Curreen.

Mike Bailey and Grant Botting