Heavy rain on Friday night and early Saturday morning did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of all the shooters who had arrived to eagerly take part in Lightning Ridge Pistol Club's 25th anniversary shoot.
With the fire roaring and a hearty breakfast in the club house, the competitors were ready to go.
There was some great shooting and of course, the usual stories of why some did not score so well.
There were some great grade breaks by a few in-form competitors including local member Michael Steiner who broke in the Men's Air, going into C grade.
Well done Michael.
By Sunday the rain had gone and what a beautiful day it was, followed by a great dinner at the club catered for by Mr Wong and enjoyed by 137 hungry people.
There were 124 competitors from 38 clubs including South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales.
Eleven matches, with up to five grades in some, were keenly contested.
Among the shooters was former Olympian Pat Murray from St Ives Pistol Club, and Marie Rydquist from the Illawarra Pistol Club, who was in the Sydney Olympic Squad - just missing out on selection.
The top lady shooter during the three-day weekend was Marie Rydquist, top male shooter was Brenton White from Berri in South Australia and the top junior came from Goulburn, Brendan Gordon.
Pat Murray took out the master grade in the standard pistol event.
He was followed by runner-up Richard Bowen from Moree and Dennis Phillips from Newcastle in the B grade who made the grade break.
Top male shooter Brenton White also came first in the Men's Air shooting.
He was followed by Dale Eder of Wakehurst and Craig Richardson of Kurrajong in the C grade.
The Ladies Air shooting went to Marie Rydquist, with B grade winner Marg Cleland from Melton and Lynette Lahey of Bathurst taking out third place.
The Rapid Fire master title was awarded to Pat Murray, his A grade follower was Peter Fraser, and the B grade marksman was Brenton White.
In the Centre Fire event, Richard Bowen led the way in first place, Brenton White who made the grade break came second, followed by Stephan Russell also of Berri.
The Free Pistol winner was TJ Dennis of Tamworth with runner-up Richard Bowen, and C grade winner Bill Hanenberg of Dubbo.
Richard Bowen took out the Service Unrestricted event, with C grade shooter Max Cleland of Melton next, and Chris Parslow of Ipswich coming third.
Moree shooter Richard Bowen also won the Service Pistol event, with C grade shooter Chris Snook of Moree as well placing second, and Peter Schubert of Manilla finishing third.
In the Ladies Sport Pistol event Marie Rydquist took the title, with Helen McDiarmid from Blacktown the B grade winner, and Margaret Baxter of Condoblin placing third.
The Junior Air event went to D grade winner Tara Baxter also of Condoblin and the Junior Sport pistol event was taken out by Brendan Gordon of Goulburn.
The Lightning Ridge Pistol Club members who did well were: Michelle Knee who came third in the A grade Ladies Sport pistol event after a close shoot-off; Michael Steiner who placed first in the D grade for the Men's Air event; and junior shooter Darren McCarthy with a great third place in the Junior Sport event, on his first competition effort.
Well done to all of you.
The raffle, drawn by Stefan Hribar, who donated the gold and opal prizes, were Anthony Hutchinson of Lightning Ridge for first, Stewart of Lightning Ridge for second, and Chris Parslow from Ipswich for third prize.
Finally, president Peter Nation would once again like to thank all the committee for its hard work getting everything ready for the long weekend.
Roz, Trevor and May from the kitchen who kept everyone fed and happy; bar staff, the extra kitchen shift for Sunday night - even non-members rolled up their sleeves to help serve the meal and clean up after; all the helpers who scored, patched, called and range officers who kept the score sheet up to date and shooters informed; Kylie and Ron who aren't members also put in many hours helping; and Lynne Russell who once again set all the opals for prizes.
By all accounts a great time was had by all and they promise to return next year.
Again thanks to all the committee, members and non-members who helped make it one great weekend.
Helen Nation
Lightning Ridge Pistol Club
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