CLAY BIRD SHOOT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 23, 2 May 1947, Page 5

CLAY BIRD SHOOT

EVENT AT OPOTIKI SPOILT BY BAD WEATHER The Opotiki Rod and Gun Club was most unlucky in that one of the heaviest rain storms known for years, should have occurred on the day of its open shoot,'* when a fine programme was provided for the many visitors and local competitors. The calm, warm and sunny conditions for the start of the eyeopener induced many of the competitors to come out in summer attire, but before the first round of the Victoria Park £SO handicap was completed, steady rain set in, and gradually increased, and at times the shooters had difficulty to. hold their guns and see the birds. W. C. Davies, J. Plamus and W. J. Costello put up grand performances to drop only one bird.

The rain increased but it was decided to hold the Waioeka Jack Memorial. Cup. The first round was shot in overcoats, oilskins and gum boots; even a couple of grey ducks flew over the field as if to say, “This would be ideal for the opening of the shooting season, but we know a thing or two.”

The rain became torrential and twice the match had to be stopped. Finally J. Tebbutt was the winner of the cup with the only possible, a really great performance. He had no trouble filling the cup. By this time practically every shooter was wet through, a cold wind sprang up and it was unanimously decided to call it a day and make for home and dry clothes. The Eye-Opener Five birds, 34 competitors: W. Davies, J. Plamus, R. Butler, W. A. Butler, J. Parkinson, W. Semmens, E. Julian and J. Hassett shot the possible. J. Ross, J. Shove, S. Cooper, W. Pratt, R. Bluett, E. Torrie, H. Skipper, A. yj. Brown, S. Kerr, M. Ross, R. Young, J. D. Clark, four birds each. . Victoria Park Handicap £SO, 20 birds, 26 competitors: W. Davies, J. Plamus, W. J. Costpllo, 19 birds; A. J. Brown, K .Chatfield 18; R. Butler, W. Pratt, S. Cooper 17; R. Ricketts, S. Kerr, J. Shove, W. A. Butler, J. Tebbutt 16; J. L. Hayward, R. Young 15; J. L. Ross, J. Parkinson, R. Mcllwraith 14; C. Mitchell, A. Harding 13; J. Ormond 12; R. Bluett 11. Waioeka Jack Memorial Cup 10 birds, 30 competitors: J; Tebbutt was the only possible. W. J. Costello, K. Chatfield, S. Copper, E. Torrie, R. Mcll wraith 9 birds; J. Hassett, E.'Julian 8; J. Shove, C. Mitchell, J. .Plamus, R. Ricketts, H. Skipper, J. McCaldon, J. Ross, A. J. Brown 7; E. Pratt, M. Ross, A. W. Jephson 6; R. Young, W. Pratt, J. Ormond, W. C. Davies, J. D. Clark 5; J. Hayward, D. Parkinson, S. Kerr 4.