WHILE it was another Saturday of windy weather to make things tricky for Bathurst Rifle Club members in the second round of the Diggers and G James Cups, conditions were a vast improvement on what they had faced seven days earlier.

The strong west south westerly breeze although gusty, was at least readable and the first stage produced some good scores but not a possible among them.

Graeme Bright (48.05) and Steve Williams (48.04) both produced inner fours at the beginning and end of their shoots.

Jeff Eppleston continued his fine recent form with a 57/60 but the other F class shooters were not able to emulate his accuracy with Roger Northcott (50) and Geoff Willis (51) both a little disappointing.

Gordon Shepherd could not repeat his recent hot form shooting a 46.02 and John Coghill was even worse with a scratchy 45.01.

Ron Gibson led out the B graders with a 46.02, but both Dennis Lavelle (44.0) and Keith Redding (41.01) shot far to many inner fours to be in contention.

The wind moderated somewhat in the second stage but still caused some problems. Scores showed an improvement with outstanding efforts by Bright and Eppleston.

Both shooters ran away with their respective grades as Bright placed every shot in the bulls eye for a 50.03 possible and Epplestone, going one better, had all his shots hit the centre bulls eye for a 60/60.

Williams and Coghill both had 49s with good centre counts, but Shepherd fell away in the latter part of his stage for a 47.05.

Lavelle came back into contention with a 47.03, but Gibson cut him off at the pass by matching that score. Willis made changes to his equipment and paid the penalty with another disappointing shoot (51/60) while Northcott, after a tardy start, came home well with a 54/60.

Redding inched up his first stage score to 42.0 and take out the day’s handicap honours, but centre bulls eyes were hard to come by.

All members are hoping for better conditions this Saturday for the first 600 yard championship range.

The Diggers and G James Cups conclude this week with the Diggers Cup already decided in Bright’s favour despite a scorers error the previous week. However, the G J James Cup is down to the wire with Gibson needing to shoot up to his handicap to steal the trophy from Coghill, who leads by a skinny quarter of a point 299¾ to 299½.

SCORES: K Redding 83.01 (20) 100; J Eppleston 117 (3½) 100; J Coghill 94.06 (6¼) 100; R Gibson 93.03 (7) 100; G Bright 98.08 (3/4) 98¾; S Williams 97.11 (0) 97; D Lavelle 91.03 (5¾) 96¾; R Northcott 104 (11) 95.83; G Shepherd 93.07 (1½) 94½; G Willis 102 (10) 93.33.