Halkirk sharpshooters sweep the board
FINALISTS in each of the categories – classes X, A, B, C and D – met on the Halkirk range in the competition run by the Caithness Small-bore Rifle Association to decide the winners of the JGC Engineering & Technical Services individual open competition.
In order to qualify for the final over 50 competitors returned three postal cards and the top four returns in each class earned the right to vie for the silverware on a shoulder-to-shoulder basis.
During the final, in all classes, each competitor had to return two cards.
Class X (average 98.5 and above): Competition was expected to be keen in this class with four on-form shooters qualifying – H. Simpson and D. Simpson (both Wick OS), R.B. Campbell (Halkirk) and J.A. Henderson (Watten).
Due to unforeseen circumstances, David Simpson had to withdraw from the final.

Robbie Campbell, quietly confident on his home range, did just enough to gain the honours against Henderson and Hugh Simpson. Scores (ex 100) were: Campbell 99, 98; Henderson 98, 98; Hugh Simpson 99, 96.
Class A (97.5 to 98.5): Qualifiers were D. Mowat and M.J. Green (both Pentland), M. Shearer (Westfield) and H. Levack (Halkirk). Don Mowat was unavailable for the final stage of the competition.
Horace Levack, with the best aggregate score of all finalists, showed a clean pair of heels to the two Michaels and comfortably clinched the silverware.
Scores were: Levack 99, 99; Shearer 99, 96; Green 97, 97.
Class B (96.5 to 97.5): Qualifiers were G. Baikie (Westfield), A. Budge jnr (Halkirk), B.E. Mackay (Watten) and P. Richard (Pentland). Unfortunately Barbara Mackay could not participate in the final.
Alistair Budge, with two very good returns, was well ahead of George Baikie and Peter Richard and notched up a third victory for a Halkirk club member.
Scores were: Budge 99, 98; Baikie 97, 96; Richard 97, 96.
Class C (95 to 96.5): Qualifiers were A. Budge snr and C. Budge (both Halkirk), J. Manson (Westfield) and F. Spence (Wick OS)
Alex Budge, competing against James Manson and Fiona Spence, also had the additional pressure of dealing with the challenge from his son, Craig. Alex, in his usual unflustered style, came out on top to register a fourth Halkirk win.
Scores – A. Budge 98, 96; Spence 97, 93; Manson 95, 93; C. Budge 96, 89.
Class D ( 95 and under): Qualifiers were L. Macdonald (Wick OS), G. Dunnett (Halkirk), A. Louden (Caithness Cadets) and J. Crilly (Westfield).
James Crilly was unable to attend the final leaving Lisa Macdonald, George Dunnett and Andrew Louden to vie for the silverware.
Dunnett, with two good returns, overcame his opponents to chalk up a fifth victory for his Halkirk club.
John Campbell, one of the JGC Engineering & Technical Services directors, presented the trophies to the successful competitors.