Shooting: Manjimup’s Mark Milentis claims Coolilup Cup

Across a three-day smorgasbord of action at the SWRDA Easter Prize meeting, Manjimup’s Mark Milentis once again dictated proceedings. An excellent marksman who is no stranger to success in the art of target rifle shooting, Milentis claimed the renowned Coolilup Cup, with an impressive aggregate score of 150.21. This achievement was no mean feat, given the persistent southerly winds, which forced shooters to reassess their tactics. Four other South West club members also tasted success in their respective disciplines: Neil Yates (Busselton-Bunbury, F-Standard, 178.13), Jack Redman (Busselton-Bunbury, F-Open, 179.20), Roger Brown (Waroona, F-Target Rifle, 176.15) and Simon McGorlick (Busselton-Bunbury, Sporter-Hunter, 150.24). There might have been four shooters battling it out for the service rifle championship, however, the quality of action was top class. Service shooters were all allocated 70 shots throughout the event, which were over a combination of 500 and 600m targets. Busselton-Bunbury club diehards were delighted with the outcome, as members Julien Davey and Rod Davis engaged in an absorbing duel. Davey (291.4) narrowly claimed the title by four points over Davis (287.12), however, both men were all smiles after the competition had concluded. Keen to back up from his impressive performance in the Coolilup Cup, Milentis duly delivered and claimed first (target rifle) in the open championship shoot, held over Saturday and Sunday. Milentis (370.45) narrowly held off Yarloop’s Molly Craig (366.36), with Albany’s Tyler Jeffery in third. This South West dominance continued, with Yates (F-standard), Brad Day (F-open), Brown (F-target rifle) and Brett Merritt (sporter-hunter) doing their clubs proud. Pleasingly for prize shoot organisers, hosting their first event since 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a large contingent of shooters in the sporter-hunter discipline — a relatively new division designed at enticing new participants to rifle shooting. Across the event, 51 shooters took part, travelling from as far north as Geraldton.