SSAA NSW

Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. 6 2014 SSAA NSW Sporting Clays State Titles More than 90 of Australia's best sporting clay shooters from around NSW, ACT, Victoria and Queensland competed in the SSAA NSW Sporting Clays State Titles hosted by SSAA NSW Griffi th Branch on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August 2014. The competition took place on the unique Dave Wallace Range situated on top a rocky hill where shooters aim at targets fl ying off a cliff. It provided a challenging and exciting backdrop for the event particularly for the visiting shooters, many of who are used to shooting on fl at areas. Traps were set to throw clay targets from all angles and speeds in the bushland but also down and along cliff faces and off towers. The 200 target event was held in conjunction with the Dave Wallace Memorial Shoot named after the man who was originally responsible for the establishment of the sporting clays range. Nick Guerra (Nathalia) and Damien Birgan (Brisbane) were the two most dominant shooters over the two days of competition. Guerra took out Saturday's competition with 87/100 targets, just ahead of Birgan on 86 who beat Marty Seymour (Yarrawonga) in a shoot-off. Both shooters were at it again on Sunday and fi nished tied with a score of 90/100 targets but it was Birgan who fi nished on top after beating Guerra in a shoot-off. "Australian and World Sporting Clay Champion, Damien Birgan declared it one of the best ranges for sporting clays in Australia," said the SSAA NSW Griffi th Branch President Warren Brown. "He likened it to the Mount Panorama race track at Bathurst where this mountainous race track has special diffi culties not found on other race tracks on fl at areas." Guerra took the overall title with a combined score of 177/200 ahead of Birgan on 176. In the Ladies competition, Kelly Norris (Echuca) won with a two-day score of 145, while Frank DiFiore (Griffi th) shot a 147 to top the Veterans and Brandon Gugliemino (Griffi th) won in the Juniors with a 114. The shoot was generously sponsored by a wide range of local and national sponsors organised by Shotgun Captain Jamie Cirillo. More than $12,000 in prizes were on offer including eight .17 calibre rimfi re rifl es for the overall grade winners and overall winners also received SSAA NSW medallions. Local Branch members were responsible for shoot administration and keeping the clay target traps working effi ciently all weekend while members of the Yoogali Primary School P&C Association provided some tasty catering to everyone. Overall winners and runners-up: High Gun: Nick Guerra (Nathalia) 177/200 AAGrade: Damien Birgan (Brisbane) 176, Bart Brighenti (Griffi th) 164, Steve Norris (Echuca) 162 A Grade: Anthony Blacker (Griffi th) 144, Peter Rae (Temora) 144, Brett Inch (Temora) 143 B Grade: Simon Gee (Hay) 127, Brian Hoyland (Deniliquin) 123, Peter Huchings (Canberra) 120 C Grade: Justin Badoco (Griffi th) 119, Leight Stokes (Griffi th) 114, Helen Devlin (Albury) 108 Veterans: Frank DiFiore (Griffi th) 147, Ron Kocaj (Griffi th) 132, Sid Gugliemino (Griffi th) 116 Ladies: Kelly Norris (Echuca) 145, Trina Adams (Albury) 113, Jan Jacka (Hay) 100 Juniors: Brandon Gugliemino (Griffi th) 114, Michaela Macartney (Hay) 103, Sebastian Zanotto (Griffi th) 99 Warren Brown President, SSAA NSW Griffi th Branch Trina Adams (Albury) in competition Juniors overall winner Brandon Gugliemino (Griffi th) receiving a .17 calibre rimfi re rifl e The NSW State Titles champion Nick Guerra (Nathalia)

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