Yunta’s Christmas Shoot

For the drought-stricken North East of SA, wind and dust has been ‘the daily norm’ for the past 18 months. So it was a pleasant surprise to have ever-so-slight breezes at Yunta’s Christmas Shoot on Saturday 8^th December, 2019.

The thirty three shooters were pleased with the unseasonal pleasant conditions at the Yunta Range (between Burra and Broken Hill).

Shot on five Hexta targets, the usual program was followed: two 500mtr shoots in the morning and a 300 mtr shoot after lunch. The uniqueness of the Yunta range is that the Club has only one shooting mound – with the trailer-mounted targets being towed into place.

The Yunta Rifle Club is grateful to those who travel long distances to compete and Clubs represented included: Cyclists & Torrens Valley, West Broken Hill, Pt Pirie,

Pt Augusta, Whyalla, Mt Barker, Murray Bridge, Spalding and Yanyarrie/Orroroo – plus others.

As visitors arrived and set-up camp on Friday evening; – there was Brad Semmler (CTV) re-gassing the beer fridge (worth a trophy!), Peter Collins (Balaklava) repairing the plumbing problems – and Don Flynn (Woomera) fixing anything else needing attention, before undertaking the scoring duties. How lucky are we to have such ‘useful’ friends?!

A hearty tea of schnitzels and vegies was enjoyed in the lovely evening ambience – with the usual sensational sunset behind the range.

Shooting began on Saturday morning with the flags gently waving.

At the lunch break, William Naismith led TR with Trevor Wilkes leading the F Class pack.          

The usual sumptuous lunch of cold meats (including some very valuable mutton), salads and luscious sweets was served in the comfortable air-conditioned clubhouse. 

The afternoon threw up surprisingly tricky conditions with mirages dancing across the range. Few possible were shot but the competition remained close.

Overall winners were: TR, Brad Semmler (CTV) with Trevor Wilkes (Pt Pirie) winning the F Class Shield. Winning the Pairs Shoot were Brad Semmler and Warren Breeding.

Shooting finished mid-afternoon, allowing ample time for pre-dinner refreshments and the presentation of prizes.

 Originally, the Yunta club offered local (dressed) turkeys as prizes, but now presents lovely leg hams, tasty turkey rolls and legs of marvellous (local) mutton, – as well as Christmas puddings – and many bottles of ‘Christmas Cheer’.

Yunta Rifle Club Captain Warren Breeding thanked all for attending, making mention of the afore-mentioned ‘tradies’ and Don and Linda Merritt who made and donated Christmas puddings. The visiting ladies were also thanked for helping Kerry and Ros in the kitchen yet again.

For those who stayed overnight, a ‘Triple Crown Affair’ was shot early on Sunday morning – before the heat, wind and dust arrived!

Yunta winners were;-

Target Rifle A Grade

Place	Shooter	Club	Score
1st	Brad Semmler	Cyclists & Torrens Valley	149.13
2nd	William Naismith	Yanyarrie/Orroroo	148.13
3rd	Philip Bradshaw	Cyclists & Torrens Valley	147.18
4th	Warren Breeding	Yunta	147.15
5th	Bluey Noll	Whyalla	145.12
6th	Paul Gale	Cyclists & Torrens Valley	144.10
7th	Peter Collins	Balaklava	137.4

Target Rifle B Grade

Place	Shooter	Club	Score
1st	Don Merritt	West Broken Hill	143.9
2nd	Gordon Harrison	Murray Bridge	142.10
3rd	Ian Tapscott	Yanyarrie/Orroroo	139.7

Target Rifle C Grade

Place	Shooter	Club	Score
1st	Allen Hucks	Yunta	142.8
2nd	Bill Pryde	Spalding	140.6
3rd	Don Flynn	Woomera	133.2

F Standard A

Place	Shooter	Club	Score
1st	Trevor Wilkes	Port Pirie	174.12
2nd	Chris Green	Cyclists & Torrens Valley	172.12
3rd	Nunzio Sapio	Cyclists & Torrens Valley	172.12
4th	Jacinta Blackmore	Yunta	171.6
5th	James Freebairn	Balaklava	170.11
6th	Richard Steel	Yunta	170.10
7th	Malcolm Hill	Pt Pirie	170.10
8th	Terry Brewer	West Broken Hill	170.8
9th	Luke Netherton	Pt Pirie	165.4
10th	Chris Harris	Broken Hill	165.1

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