Competitors in the 2018 National Championships held at the Belmont range from June 20th to 24th enjoyed ideal Queensland winter weather with chilly early mornings and clear skies and warm temperatures each day.  The wind followed a similar pattern every day commencing with cool southwesterlies turning around to south easterlies in the middle of the day.
These favourable conditions led to very high scores in all of the target rifle and scope class disciplines with James Corbett of Benalla, Victoria winning his 35th Queens with a possible score of 475 points

Displaying skill and temperament way beyond his age, 15 year old Josh Pratt followed up his win in the Natives Prize Meeting a few days earlier by winning the B Grade Presidents trophy, the B Grade Queens Prize and the B Grade Grand Aggregate as well as several range prizes along the way.
To top it off, Josh’s score in the B Grade Grand Aggregate was sufficient to qualify him for the Kaltenberg Cup shoot-off at 1000 yards between the top 20 target rifle shooters over the five days of the Nationals.
In a fine display of precision shooting and wind reading, Josh top-scored with the only possible 75 points to win the Kaltenberg Cup from a field of top-class competitors which included past and current Commonwealth Games representatives.

To keep it in the family, Josh’s Uncle and fellow Natives Club member, Michael Halpin, had a clean sweep in C Grade winning the Presidents trophy, the C Grade Queens, and the C Grade Grand Aggregate as well as several range prizes. 
This followed Michael’s 2nd place in C Grade in the Natives Prize Meeting and reflects his progress in the sport this year at club level where he has a comfortable lead in the Natives Club C Grade Championship.

Congratulations to both Josh and Michael for their respective wins against tough competition.