Perth (Scotland) v Perth (Australia)

On Saturday 21st June 2003, West Atholl Rifle Club, representing Perth Scotland, fired a postal match against Perth Australia. Members were faced with theoretically easy conditions comprising minimal wind, a dull light and cool conditions at 13C. However the usually scenic Jubilee range was not at its most pleasant with the persistent light rain turning misty at times and making shooting more difficult. The most unpleasant aspect of the day was that every midge in Perthshire seemed to have congregated on the range - mostly at the 600 yard firing point and in the target pit. The most worthy score was made by Mike Barton shooting in the standard Target Rifle class who almost matched the scores from the unrestricted F class. Another noteworthy score was that made by Alastair Munro at the age of 86.

Perth Australia
TR
  
Chris Hope
   100.9
Anna Whittemore
   99.15
Peter Green
   99.8
Stan Connell
   98.11
Sub-total
 396.43
F Class
  
Tony Whittemore
   117
Geoff Owen
   117
Wayne Lancaster
   116
Yvonne Lancaster
   108
Sub-total
 458
Grand total
 854.43
Perth Scotland
TR
  
Mike Barton
   99.13
Eddie Jones
   98.08
Richard Scott
   97.11
John McDonald
   95.07
Sub-total
 389.39
F Class
  
Jim Bell
(99.14 =)
 113
Des Parr
(99.14 =)
 113
Alastair Munro
(95.07 =)
 102
Gerry Hogston
(93.07 =)
 100
Sub-total
 428
Grand total
817.39

Perth Australia, shooting 10 hours earlier, have reported their score as 854.43 thus giving them a fairly easy victory. This included a perfect 100 from their President Chris Hope. Hopefully Perth Scotland will close the gap in future years. The match was first fired in 1970 when the respective Mayors of the two cities donated shields which are now held by the opposite clubs. Due to the vagaries of postal communication the match lapsed through the 1990s but with the help of the internet it is hoped to shoot it every year.

Perth Rifle Club
Western Australia
Perth Scotland Team
Jubilee Range - Glen Tilt
Perth Oz Photo Perth Scotland
Click Photos to enlarge
   

Back Row: Wayne Lancaster, Yvonne Lancaster, Geoff Owen and Tony Whittemore

Front Row: Stan Connell, Anna Whittemore, Grant Connell (Captain), Chris Hope and Peter Green

We shot 600yds with conditions of 3 - 5 minutes of RH wind and overcast skies. We had a total of 16 shooters with our top scorer for the day in Full Bore was our President Chris Hope with a score of 100.9 and F Class shooter Tony Whitemore with 117.

One HPS (highest possible score) was shot by W. Lancaster 60 out of 60.

Wording on shield (right):-

THE LORD MAYOR'S TROPHY

Presented by E.H Lee Steere C.B.E.
Lord Mayor of Perth
West Australia

For competition between rifle teams representing the Sister Cities of Perth

1975 Perth West Australia 739
1976 Perth Scotland 579
1977 Perth Scotland 581
1978 Perth West Australia 585
1979 Perth Scotland 491


Team from uphill is Richard Scott, Des Parr, Jim Bell, Gerry Hogston, Alastair Munro, Mike Barton, Kenny McDonald and Eddy Jones.

Taken just before they shot showing butts in distance and with flags hanging straight down and almost hidden behind poles

 


Individual is Mike Barton Top Scorer TR holding shield.

Well done Perth Australia - you have beaten us fairly convincingly in both classes. Your F class in particular was well ahead of ours.

A press release will made to our Perthshire Advertiser.


Mike Baillie-Hamilton
West Atholl Rifle Club Chairman