Covid-friendly competition

Wimmera sporting shooters enjoyed their first competition under Covid-friendly conditions at Natimuk on Sunday.

Natimuk and District Field and Game president Sam Marchesini said 41 shooters participated in the 50-target event.

“It was our first shoot back since March and it was good to get back out there,” he said.

“It was just a regular shoot but we had a few different guidelines in place.

“We had to shoot a continuous round of 50 targets, whereas normally it’s 25. We can’t have any presentations and people have to nominate online – they can’t just roll in, it has to be preplanned.”

Mr Marchesini said the club also adhered to social-distancing regulations and spectators were not allowed to attend.

He said the club usually attracted between 60 and 70 shooters and he looked forward to welcoming more participants at ongoing events.

“We’re using this one as a trial run, we’ll see how this goes,” he said.

“We’re planning to have another one in August – hopefully we get a few more people. We need to iron a few bugs out – we’ve had a few problems with it all, but we’re still learning, it’s all new.”

Minyip association’s Greg Deutscher won the open division with a score of 43-50.

Other grade winners were: AA, Barrie Gilsenan, Natimuk, 39-50; A, Bill Jorgensen, Natimuk, 37-50; B, Roger Thamm, Natimuk, 30-50; C, Brendan Schmidt, Natimuk, 26-50; sub-junior, Hunter Fereday, Natimuk, 23-50; junior, Liam Klowss, Natimuk, 23-50; veteran, Kevin Dyson, Casterton, 35-50.