2022 Fly Nationals – Wagga NSW

Peter Cross

As we are all aware 2021 would not only see the cancellation of nearly all the registered fly matches and the 2021 Nationals, COVID would see a lot of the world go into “lockdown”.  Fortunately with 90% of the Australian public being vaccinated by December 2021 most public health restrictions would be removed. That would mean only one thing; come 2022 the fly shoot would be back. 

It was obvious the previous years hiatus had not dampened the enthusiasm of our ardent fly shooters. More than 72 of which made their way to Wagga to participate in the 2022 SSAA Fly Nationals.  

The weather forecast for Saturday was for a frosty morning, winds to 15 Kilometres with temperatures ranging from 1c to 12c degrees. Although we never saw the frost it was still not the balmiest morning with the temperature staying fresh for most of the day.  Wagga is generally known for its high scores and this was going to be the order of the weekend.  Dave Husin scored 275.03 to take out Light Gun with Grant Groves taking 2nd scoring  269.04, Peter Cross finishing 3rd with 265.03. 

Come Sunday it was time for the Heavy Guns to make an appearance, the wind had dropped to around 10 kilometres, still enough to catch you out if you weren’t focussed.  Young Callum Groves had no such problem, he was not only the best Junior, he showed his more seasoned competitors how to do it scoring a fantastic 266 and 3 flies to take 1st.  Paul Reed shot 264.02 for 2nd with Dave Zucconi finishing 3rd with 263.03.  

Winners are Grinners

At the end of the centrefire competition Dave Husin would walk away with the Jim Mckinley Trophy for highest centrefire score.  Grant Groves would take Gold scoring 525.08 for combined centrefire, Peter Cross would take the Silver medal scoring 524.07 and Dave Zucconi got the Bronze with 522 and 11 flies, a great effort,  

Dave, Winner of LG and the Jim McKinley Trophy

Monday would see the centrefires retired to their cases and the rimfires take to the benches. It wasn’t only the temperature that had increased the winds once again had picked up to around 15 klicks,  Ralf Garlick scored 262.03 to finish 1st and walk away with the Stuart Elliot Cup. Ken Perrin took 2nd with 261.06 beating Chris Parry by 3 flies.  However, Chris would take Gold in the 2 Gun centrefire + rimfire with a combined score of 520.09, Peter Cross would take 2nd and Ken would be 3rd with 507.11. 

Dave presents Ralf the Stuart Elliot Cup

At the end of the 3 days It was Peter Cross being “crowned” the 2022 SSAA Fly Nationals 3 Gun Grand Aggregate winner with a score of 771.12. Mr Vince Vania would take Silver with a combined score of 763.13 and Chris Parry the Bronze with 757.12. 

Peter Cross, 2022 SSAA Fly Nationals 3 Gun Grand Aggregate Winner

Once again I would be remiss in my duties if I didn’t take time to thank all the volunteers that put in so much time to make these events run and smooth as they do. And another BIG THANKS to  all the fantastic sponsors who donated prizes.

A Big THANKS to our amazing Sponsors