SEPTEMBER 10, 2023 - PETITCODIAC - 9th ANNUAL MARTIN F. TOPF RIMFIRE CHAMPIONSHIP - RESULTS

This morning we had a reminder that it's early September and that Fall is just around the corner. The temperature, when we drove to the range in Petitcodiac was 12C and fog banks hugged the valleys. The softer maple trees along the river have started to turn colours. For some of us this is the perfect time of the year and certainly a fine time to hold the 9th Annual Martin F. Topf Rimfire Championship.

Twenty-one shooters from the southern part of New Brunswick agreed with this and shooters came from Saint John, Moncton, Fredericton and Mazerolle Settlement and many places in between. It was a spirited match and a great opportunity to hang out with friends and shooting colleagues. It is safe to say that in addition to a great match we had a lot of fun - championships in Petitcodiac are like that!

The membership of the Petitcodiac club worked hard to make this event a successful one. The match director and organizer was Volker T. who, aside from shooting, also scored the match and was the MC for the award presentations afterwards. John C., as in years past, organized the awards and prizes. Many thanks to Grant H. and Chris S. for the food and clean-up. Dan G.and Bert deV. were the score verifiers. Darryl K., Bruce B. and John McC. were the ROs while Bruce and John, along with Gerald D. set and changed the targets. The wonderful treats during the match were provided by Barb J. and Dan G. while the delicious desserts after the lunch were provided by Dorothy McC. and Barb J. Thanks to everyone who helped out - I apologise if I'm missing some folks in this category.

The weather during the match could only be described as ideal with temperatures in the 14C range in the morning and closer to 24C in the afternoon. The weatherman had predicted a lot of rain and storm clouds this weekend for the Moncton area but it must have gotten lost on the way here as we had no rain and little or no wind (we did get a little rain on the way home). There were many quiet periods and the little wind that was there varied according to one's position on the firing line. True to the winds on the Petitcodiac range, it switched and was probably not the same for any 2 shooters.

The championship match consisted of two target sheets of 25 rimfire bulls with a high score possible of 500/50X. We witnessed some very fine shooting with very few points lost in the entire field and especially in the top scores. Congrats are due to John McC. who shot a score of 500/33X; Wayne LeB. with a 500/32X; Gerald D. with a 500/28X; Volker T. with a 500/26X and Darryl K. with a 500/20X.

RESULTS - RF BENCHREST - OPEN CLASS:

John McC. -   500x33      Matt McA. -  499x23       Stephen C. -    498x21
Wayne LeB. - 500x32      George M. - 499x22        Danny G. -      498x20
Gerald D. -     500x28      David C. -     499x21       Norbert S. -     497x20
Volker T. -       500x26      Cecil H. -     499x20       John C. -         496x14
Darryl K. -      500x20      Barb J. -       499x18       Grant H. -        495x17
Bert deV. -     499x29       Chris S. -     499x16       Becky McC.-   493x16

John M. -       499x24       Bruce B. -    499x13       Brian P. -         488x9

    

After the match was completed and the scoring and stats were verified, we all trooped to the clubhouse for the year's award presentations and the famous drawing for prizes. This began with congratulations to Grant H. who shot his first 500 match in Rimfire in 2023. Congrats Grant!

After this came the awards to the Rimfire Shooting team who won first place at the annual rimfire team shoot. This team consisted of Volker T., Brian P., John C., John McC., Danny G. and Grant H. Congratulations fellows!

Next a presentation was made to Bert deV. for the highest score during the 2023 regular shooting schedule for a single target sheet (250x19) and for the highest score in a match during the 2023 regular shooting season (500x35).

The day ended with the traditional drawing of prizes. All shooters' were able to select a prize from the table in random order. It can be said that everyone went home tired but happy. We were only sorry that this could not have lasted longer!! But . . .other eagerly anticipated championships are coming up soon and we sure hope you'll be there!