Sport
24 December, 2024
Successful day as Maryborough Gun Club honours Craig Jennings
The Maryborough Gun Club had a successful first edition of the Craig Jennings Memorial Cup to start December, with a day to remember for those who were there.
It was a day over a year in preparation for the Maryborough Gun Club, who sought to preserve the memory of Jennings after his passing last year.
Both Sporting Clays Australia and the Australian Clay Target Association decided that shooters could compete, as well as friends of Craig who didn’t compete within an Association — with the only stipulation being that non-member shooters signed the visitor book.
Every shooter and visitor signed the book, which was later given to Jennings’ parents, Bruce and Kaye.
Throughout the grades during the day, many of the better shooters emerged to take prizes.
The Craig Jennings Memorial Cup was won by Robert Hall, who was the reigning National Sporting Clays Champion in 2023, shooting 90/100.
The AA grade was taken by Maryborough member Travis Gull, who took the grade with a score of 85/90.
Maryborough Gun Club president Nathan Cassells took out the A grade competition with a score of 88, winning from another Maryborough member, in Mick Taylor.
John Handley was the winner of B grade, scoring 88, while Connor Joseph took C grade with a score of 67.
Bendigo’s Jett Beagley took the junior category, while Ashleigh Hansen won the Ladies’ competition.
Craig Stephens won the veteran category and Bryan Rafferty took out the super veterans prize.
In the competition which was opened up to non-registered shooters, it was a heartwarming delight for Jennings’ son, Matthew, shooting 58, with brother Brendan making it a 1-2 in the category.
The day finished with the final of the Bendigo-Maryborough Annual Sporting Challenge, with Maryborough coming from behind after the opening round to storm home and maintain their hold of the trophy.
The team members were Cassells, Gull, Taylor, Rafferty and Phil Stowe.
The day was sponsored by Jennings’ workplace, McPherson’s Printing Group, and the Maryborough Highland Society donated sashes for the shoot.