Results, 2004 SYDNEY CUP - Review hosted by, SSAA Sydney Branch

The tradition grows...

Who needs the rain?  Much like the rest of the state, Sydney certainly needed a water top-up, and the Sydney Cup was in its way.  But there weren’t many complaints when we rolled into Malabar for the 2004 Sydney Cup and NSW GP Rnd 8 that required competitors to have their shooting gear and a brolly at the ready.  Sydney Branch members and enthusiasts turned out to a very well run event that highlighted the experience and professionalism of the Sydney Branch organisers and volunteers under trying weather conditions.  Unfortunately, as is usually the case, the rain kept many of the expected participating numbers down to around 75 but still attracting representation from around NSW and in force from ACT.

The weekend of shooting started with pistol on Saturday morning.  Rain adopted drizzle mode and the keen 24 shooters adopted competition mode with excellent scores the result.

Matches for pistol started at 50m for the slow fire events then worked down the range shooting various positions and timings to the 7m mark.  In typical Sydney fashion where the modo of “the more shooting the better” exists, competitors had the privilege to contest all pistol classes for Std Centrefire, Mod Centrefire and Rimfire.  Rick Gleeson of Sydney took out his first NSW Grand Prix “Top Gun” of the 2004 Championship Series.  Top Guns for all the pistol events are outlined below.

Without doubt, this pistol GP round would not have been possible if it were not for the support of the SSAA affiliated Royal Australian Navy Reserve Club acting as the pistol event hosts.  George Papallo, Grant Bayley and Roman Copot worked tirelessly preparing the newly revamped facility and supplying equipment to make the event possible.  They deserve a hardy “well done” from us all.

We left the range Saturday, with rain still falling, after a healthy trophy presentation and anticipation of a fine Sunday for the rifle events.

PISTOL
SC Top Guns Std Military (1)
1^st Dan Yin, 2^nd Gary Barron, 3^rd Kerry Benson

SC Top Guns Std Service (2)
1^st Rick Gleeson, 2^nd Dan Yin, 3^rd Rob Irving

SC Top Guns Mod Mil/Serv (3)
1^st George Papallo, 2^nd David Thompson, 3^rd Drew Thompson

SC Top Guns Rimfire (4)
1^st Rob Irving, 2^nd Rick Gleeson, 3^rd Daniel Ryder

GP Rnd 8 Top Guns Mil/Serv (1/2)
1^st Rick Gleeson, 2^nd Kerry Benson, 3^rd Gary Barron, 4^th Dan Yin, 5^th Rob Irving, 6^th David Waters

Day break Sunday saw high cloud cover but clearing skys with blue streaks shining through.  “Lets get into it!”  We were looking forward to a great day of shooting.  52 competitors fronted for the Sunday rifle GP matches that kicked off early starting from 300m in a walk down format to the 100m mark.  Competitors exercised all the skills required for shooting 3 positions (prone, sitting and off-hand) during slow and rapid fire courses.  Some shooters relished the challenge that this discipline offers, no matter what type of rifle is your preference (Std, Modified or Match rifles with iron or optical sights), and produced great results, including many shooters achieving PB’s.

By the end of the 2^nd detail of shooters, the rain clouds re-visited the Malabar range and the 3^rd and 4^th details showed their toughness by completing their events in the wet.  An extra special thanks to the markers in the butts during these conditions.....

Running events like this don’t happen by accident and thanks must go out to John Wyche, Peter Cuddy, David Waters and the many Sydney Branch volunteers.  Also a very special thankyou to Roy Finney and the regular MRCA officials and shooters who not only came over to the SSAA for the SC, but also spending the many hours of work they put into the rifle range facility maintenance to allow events like this to be run as well as they were.  It’s a great thing when people from various shooting sports, and groups, come together to swap stories and experiences.  We all hope these strong relationships continue well into the future.

Last, but not least, this shoot was possible thanks to Roman Copot who donated his time away from his home renovations business to build and supply 15 target frames FREE to the event.  Also Bespoke Leather (slings and shooting gear) for the Grand Prix winner patches who has supported the entire championships.

Sunday festivities closed with sky’s clearing (go figure...) and another large trophy pool.  Thanks to the Sydney Branch for the lucky door prizes every member had chance to win.

NSW MILITARY/SERVICE RIFLE & PISTOL

SYDNEY CUP OPEN

Rnd 8 of 2004 NSW Grand Prix Series  10-11^th JULY 2004

SSAA SYDNEY BRANCH - MALABAR (Franklin St Malabar) ANZAC Range

* * * NON SSAA MEMBERS WELCOME * * *

* Lucky Door Prize *        * Trophies *            * SSAA NSW Grand Prix *     * Rifle & Pistol Practice *

Cost: $35 for whole weekend, or $25 for RIFLE only, $20 Pistol.  Free basic BBQ lunch both days.

For Camping permission, call 9661 4532. Plenty of local motels - self to organise. Rifle Range local to shops.

* * * Note:  Organisers reserve the right to change the event or schedule without notice * * *