Scotland v Australia
Match Rifle

The third international match between Scotland and Australia took place on the weekend of 30 June/1 July 2012. Proceedings opened on Saturday with an individual shoot at 10, 11 and 1200 yards and concurrent pairs competition of randomly paired Scots and Aussies. Our captain lead the way to take the top spot in the individual shoot with a score of 216v25, just pipping Australian Shane Courtney into second place on a score of 216v18. In the pairs, Robert Halloran and Allan Campbell-Smith took first place scoring 429v35, from Shane Courtney and Jim McAllister in second place on 428v38. Weather conditions were relatively benign, with Glen Tilt sitting in the eye of the weather system, and avoiding the forecast winds. In the evening the usual entertainment and dining took place at the Atholl Arms; speeches were made, prizes awarded and Tasmanian malt whisky circulated.

On Sunday the Australia Match took place, being shot over the three distances with teams of eight shooters and two targets per team, and making history by being the first international match rifle competition to be shot on electronic targets. Glen Tilt did its best to deliver weather of every possible sort, varying from minute to minute with hot, cool, sunny, overcast, midgey, but with the torrential rain holding off until the start of the final range. Scotland lead the way after 1000 yards by 7 points; Australia caught up at 1100 (taking a 4v lead), with all to play for at 1200. Scotland put in a solid performance despite some misbehaving electronics, but Australia consolidated their lead to win the day by 2 points with a score of 1722v65 to Scotland’s 1724v66. High score of the day was Mike Barlow with 222v27, with M Halloran leading the Australians with a score of 220v26. Events were rounded off with the customary exchange of quaichs and dunnies; an enjoyable weekend was had by all.

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