OBHS Clay Target Update

Interest in Clay Target has seen numbers swell and we are now at capacity with 16 students across the Intercollegiate and Development Squads. When we are not out of town at competitions or interschool events, we train on a Wednesday afternoon and Sunday morning. 

EVENT ONE
Southland Boys' High School Interschool, Invercargill Clay Target Club.

On Thursday June 3rd Henry Sim, Ollie Nicholson, George Scurr, Will Scurr, Isaac Ottrey and Shamus Young managed to successfully shoot clays in dull light and fog. (now we know why they are bright orange)! They took out the event with a points score result of 269 to 245. Our students were well supported by their parents at this event. It was familiar territory as we shot there at The Southland Intercollegiate Championships in May.

EVENT TWO
Otago Intercollegiate Clay Target Championships, Dunedin Clay Target Club.

Sunday 13th June saw our home club The Dunedin Clay Target Club host The Otago Intercollegiate Championships. Despite relentless rain 85 students from Otago, Southland and South Canterbury braved the elements to undertake a successful shoot. We were grateful for the marquees provided by the Sim and Nicholson families. Our Hostel families ensured the boys were well supported and fed. Three new junior students Hunter Burgess, Ben Roy and Eddie Burgess took part in their first event representing Otago Boys' High School.

Participants in The Otago Intercollegiate Championships
Henry Sim, Ollie Nicholson, Nic Sim, Jack Small, George Scurr, Will Scurr, Isaac Ottrey, Shamus Young, Ben Kinney, Hunter Burgess, Ben Roy, Eddie Burgess.

Results:
Nic Sim H.O.A. Point Score for the Championship Trophy and Cup.
Nic Sim High Gun including Skeet Trophy.
Nic Sim Senior DTL High Gun Trophy.
Shamus Young 2nd Junior Boys' Single Barrel Trophy.
Shamus Young 2nd Junior Boys' Single Rise Trophy.

EVENT THREE
Christ's College Interschool, Waihora Clay Target Club.

Tuesday 15th June provided fog and a delayed started to our shoot against Christ's College. All six members of the named squad shot with three perfect 25 opening scores from Single Rise. To make the event more interesting students from both schools shot in random order and the squads from both schools were mixed at each trap. It made for some tight scores. This was the epitome of sportsmanship in this sporting code. Interschool shoots are lost or won on points score which takes the final scores of the top five shooters from a maximum individual score of 75 off 25 targets. The outcome was a narrow 8 points in favour of Christ's College. Otago Boys' High School 508 and Christ's College 516.

Christ's College Interschool Squad
Henry Sim, George Scurr, Ollie Nicholson, Isaac Ottrey, Nic Sim, Will Scurr.

At Wednesday's training this week our final three new junior students Jackson Stevens, Flynn Dalley and Jamie Hall joined our Development Squad. Under the guidance of Mr Bill McKinlay and with our experienced boys alongside them, they had their first taste of shooting at the Traps. Routines, concentration and ettiquette play a big part in successfully participating in this high risk activity. I am impressed with our students' focus and self discipline to make this a successful and enjoyable experience for all. Thank you to boys who so willingly run our score cards at practices and help and encourage one another. 

Moving forward, our Intercollegiate Shooters will be using the opportunity to shoot against Timaru Boys' High School and Christchurch Boys' High School in Interschool fixtures as they prepare for The South Island Competitions to be held at the end of term. Lets hope for some longed for blue sky days for these events.