Simpson, McMaster win David East Memorial Clays
Published:Saturday | January 30, 2021 | 12:12 AM
Craig Simpson emerged victorious over three-time national shotgun champion, Christian Sasso, in the David East Memorial Sporting Clays competition at the Murphy Hill Estate in St Ann on Sunday.
The ladies’ section was very competitive with 13-year-old Aliana McMaster getting the better of her mother, the four-time national ladies shotgun champion, Wendy McMaster, by just one bird.
Sasso shot 96 out of a possible 100, same as Simpson, but the final placement was settled by long run (L/R) – a tie-breaker based on how the shooters perform on pre-selected stations. Under normal circumstances, both competitors would have had to shoot-off against each other and the shooter with the better score wins the top spot, but because of COVID-19 and related protocols observed, all ties were separated by long run.
GOOD WIN FEELING
Simpson said it always feels good to win.
“We all want to win, most of us want to win,” he said. “It’s in my DNA to come out to shoot and be competitive all the time and especially on these big occasions, these big tier, big top competitions. We all are hungry for this type of win, however, it’s not all about winning. We also come out to see out friends and to chat and to have a drink and to talk about the birds that we didn’t shoot. However, in these times with COVID in the mix, we have had to set that aside and shoot and leave. It takes away from the camaraderie and the fun of it, but it’s the sacrifice that we have to make until these times are behind us. We still are very appreciative to just come out and be able to participate.”
McMaster shot 77 to her mother’s 76, after competing on the 17-station course. Marguerite Harris scored 73 to take the third spot.
Aliana described the win as a big achievement.
“It took a lot of hard work and focus,” she said. “It just shows how far I have come because last year at the Driftwood shoot, it was the first big tournament. The conditions definitely could have been better, and on my last station it started pouring rain, so that really affected me.
“It’s a big accomplishment for me because I have always held her at a high standard, so now that I have done it twice, it proves to me what I am really capable of.”
A Class
Danzell Knight 95
Nicholas Benjamin 93 (L/R)
Ray McMaster 93
B Class
Zachary Harris 90
Craig Davis 89
Jeffrey Panton 85
C Class
Zaniel Knight 89
Ricky Duquesnay 88
Brandon Laing 87
D Class
Justin Samuda 83
Gordon Bucknor 82
Anthony Desnoes 80
E Class
Bradley Wright 79
Richard Rerrie 74
Stephen McConnell 70
Hunters of Beginners
Aliana McMaster 77
Noah Vaughn 76
Bobby Vaughn 74
Juniors
Danzell Knight 95
Zaniel Knight 89
J.J. Ralston 87