The Western Southland target shooting team won by a whisker, and a few bullseyes, at the Southland Inter-association teams event in Tuatapere on August 1.

Target Shooting Southland president and member of the Western team, Quinton Erskine, said it was the first time the Western team had won either of the Challenge Shield (overall trophy) or the West Dome Trophy (handicap trophy).

The competition is for smallbore rifles, shooting over a 20 yard range.

“Because we were running it, we had no idea we were even close until the points were tallied at the end,’’ he said.

The Challenge Shield has been competed for since 1947 and the West Dome Trophy since 2001

Mr Erskine said there were 32 shooters at the event, representing teams from Western, Eastern, Southern, and Northern Southland, and Invercargill.

“The competition was very close. We had 1437 points with 59 inners (bulls eyes). The team that was second [Southern] had 1436 points and 47 inners and the third team [Invercargill] had 1436 points and 46 inners.’’

The Western team comprised Eric Sinclair, Allister Campbell, Courtney Erskine, Allan Sinclair and Quinton Erskine.

Mr Erskine said his daughter Courtney (17), shot well for the team, contributing 284 points and 12 inners out of a possible 300 point and 30 inners.

“For a junior, that is a really good score.’’

Mr Erskine said a few juniors competed for various sub-associations but over the last decade he had noticed a decline in uptake of the sport. 

The Covid-19 flu pandemic had forced the cancellation of competitions earlier this year.