May 19, 2009 Plate Match Report

29 Guns Entered - Match won by George Flaherty

2 Junior Shooters - Class won by Kiel Marvik

17 Young Bucks & Does - Class won by Lee Lewis

2 Senior Shooters - Both Mark Wuesthoff, unopposed

8 Super Senior Shooters - Class won by Norm DeShon

First things first; Thanks to the setup crew of Mathew & Wolfgang Seagraves and any & all who helped them. The stage was looking good and cooking, well before gametime. Thanks guys.

Thanks to George Flaherty for running the board and the mic in Reba's absence. George, ya done good and we all appreciate it. Thanks to all those that took a turn at running the line in Rob's absence. With the help of the match staff, our match officials, and the attention of the shooters, even with 29 shooters, we got in 4 rounds and a sudden death finale, and had time to spare, though not much. Thanks guys.

Do you folks remember what was going on May 18, 1980? 29 years ago, plus a day, Mt. St. Helens erupted and the fireworks from that event almost equaled the fireworks tonight at Gig Harbor Sportsman's Club. Most of us would rather be shooting than watching mountains erupt, and we certainly got to see some great shooting tonight. It was clear, the clouds were breaking up as the night went on, it was cool, & with no rain. This bodes well for the approaching summer. 29 guns came out to enjoy the good weather, the competition, and camaraderie with fellow shooters, and we got an evening of shooting to remember.

As we enter the sudden death phase of the match, names and numbers start to tumble. Everyone gets another lease on the competition in sudden death, and as long as you keep winning, you keep shooting. After a few duels we join James and Ted Austin as they duel, and as if in a family fued, horns sound, guns bark and, at least this time, James Austin walks away the winner. Exit brother Ted, none the worse for wear, except maybe for his pride. At this point we are down to just a few guns, as the faster guns have started to dominate the ranks. We are down to James, Mark, Lee, George, OJ, Mathew & Loren. Out of 29 guns, we have 7 still standing. To dampen down the gunfight metaphore, I assure you all the rest are busily planning tactics to try and achieve success next week. No, no one gets "gunned down" at GHSC.

To continue, George and OJ duel, and the outcome is a perfect tie. On the reshoot, George gets there first. duel to George.

Mark duels with Matthew Seagraves, with Matthew winning. Loren and Mark duel, with Loren winning.George and Mathew Seagraves duel with Mathew winning. Not bad Matt, not many outran George tonight.

George and Mark duel with Mark winning this one, then James and Lee shoot to a tie. On the reshoot, Lee wins a close one. Mark duels with Loren, and Loren wins this one. Lee then puts Mathew on the trailer in a fast duel. Don't feel bad, Matt.

Lots of people had that trouble with Lee tonight. Now we are down to 3; George, Loren and Lee. George and Lee duel with George winning. George and Loren duel with Loren winning. George and Lee try it again, and George does it again. Then George comes right back against Lee with another close win. George then puts Loren on the trailer in a close duel, exit Loren.

Now George has 3 numbers to Lee's 1, but Lee gets it a little more even by edging George to get within 1 number. In the next duel George puts it away for the evening and for the match with a fast consistent string. Exit Lee, our Young Bucks & Does class winner.

OK folks, the weather forecast is for 10 days with no rain. Summer is here at GHSC, so come on out and shoot plates, both on Mondays at 5pm for our practices and at 6pm for our Tuesday matches.

ON THAT NOTE, REMEMBER, MAY 25TH, MONDAY NEXT, IS MEMORIAL DAY. THERE WILL BE NO PLATE MATCH PRACTICE THAT EVENING, BUT WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK HERE THE NEXT DAY, MAY 26TH FOR ANOTHER MATCH. ON MEMORIAL DAY, REMEMBER ALL THOSE WHO GAVE SOME, AND ESPECIALLY REMEMBER ALL THOSE WHO GAVE IT ALL.

See you all in a week.

Hal