Shotgun Nationals go off with a bang
The Samoa Shooting Federation’s (S.S.F.) Rifle and Shotgun Nationals for 2017 concluded on Saturday evening with a cowboy and indians-themed prize giving at the Travellers’ Point Hotel at Malifa.
A week ago, the members of the Rifle club had completed their national tournament while the Shotgun tournament was held over a three-day period from Thursday to Saturday.
As has become almost a tradition, a group of New Zealand shooters, led by Samoan shooting representative, Rob Maskell travelled to Samoa to take part in the shotgun Nationals and to combine it with several days of sightseeing.
The tournament began in ideal conditions for shooting – overcast and with little or no wind. But by Saturday, as the shooters were on the final round of the Points Score competition, the heavens opened and all shooters were drenched.
This did little to dampen their spirits and did not markedly reflect on their scores.
Tournament Director, Galumalemana Vainu’u Tapusoa, said he was pleased with the adherence of all competitors to the strict safety rules practiced at the range. He also noted a further improvement in the shooting standards which were reflected in the results that were posted.
Comments about range safety were also part of a speech delivered by the Associate Minister of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture, Alaiasa Sepulona Moananu.
Alaiasa, who opened the tournament by firing the first shot, welcomed all shooters including the New Zealand contingent and pointed out that unlike many other sports where injuries are common, he was pleased that the insistence on safety being paramount at the range had ensured there had been no incidents, accidents or injuries in the last years.
On Thursday Double Barrel was held followed by Single Barrel and Triples on Friday. The tournament finished on Saturday afternoon with Points Score.
After the prize giving on Saturday evening, the president of S.S.F. Papali’i Francis Caffarelli said they are already looking ahead to the range development and equipment that will be needed for the 2019 Pacific Games.
“I am compiling a list to present to Government,” he said.
Results of National shooting championships
SHOTGUN RESULTS
Samoa Shooting Federation Champion 2017
Franco (97, 94, 292)
Highest Overall Aggregate – New Shooters
Stefan (86, 72, 276)
DOUBLE BARREL
New shooters B grade A grade
3rd – Stefan 86 3rd – Ian (NZ) 85 3rd – Franco 97
2nd – Grace 87 2nd – Apelu 89 2nd – Daryl (NZ) 98
1st – Vardia 93 1st – Ray 91 1st – Fata 98*
Team event
3rd – N.Z. A: 280 Daryl, Bruce, Ian.
2nd – Le Pe’a: 282 Fata, Niko, Ray.
1st – Alliance: 283 Leasi, Lole, Francis.
SINGLE BARREL
New shooters B grade A grade
3rd – Ralph 74 3rd – Ian 82* 3rd – Siggy 93
2nd – Grace 76 2nd – Apelu 82* 2nd – Franco 94*
1st – Vardia 78 1st – Moefaauao 90 1st – Fata 94*
Team event
3rd – N.Z. A: 255 Barbara, Bruce (NZ), Daryl.
2nd – A.C.T.C: 272 Toddy, Rob, Siggy.
1st – Alliance: 273 Francis, Leasi, Franco.
TRIPLES
New shooters Ladies Highest overall
1st – Vardia 43 1st Barbara 45 Franco 48
B grade 3rd – Uiti 41*, 2nd Ray 43, 1st Barbara 45
A grade 3rd Toddy 46*, 2nd Siggy 46*, 1st Bruce 47
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POINTS SCORE
New shooters B grade A grade
3rd – Grace 255 3rd – Ray 256 3rd – Bruce 288*
2nd – Vardia 257 2nd – Ian 261 2nd – Fata 288*
1st – Stefan 276 1st – Harry 263 1st - Franco 292
Team event
3rd – N.Z.A: 819 Daryl, Bruce, Ian.
2nd – A.C.T.C: 831 Toddy, Siggy, Rob.
1st – Alliance: 833 Leasi, Franco, Francis.
* placeing after shoot off
RIFLE RESULTS
Silhouette Light Event Silhouette Heavy Event
3rd – Leilua 3rd – Leilua
2nd – Fata 2nd – Siggy
1st – Apelu 1st Fata
2017 Highest Overall Aggregate and Rifle Champion
Fata