CHRISTIAN Sasso and Aliana McMaster toppled defending champions Craig Simpson and Wendy McMaster to take the top spots at the Rangers Gun, Rod & Tiller Club Sporting Clay Classic at the Tru-Juice complex in Bog Walk, St Catherine, recently.

Sasso got the win by way of a tense shoot-off with Chad Ziadie by just one bird. Both men shot 91 at the end of the regulation 100-bird shoot, hence the need for the shoot-off to determine the eventual winner.

A long-time member, Sasso was winning his first Rangers Gun Club shoot. He was pleased to carry the banner for his club.

“It feels good, to be honest,” he said. “So, to bring home a win for the gun club mek mi feel proud. It wasn’t an easy win. I had a 91, along with Chad Ziadie. We had a shoot-off and I came out victorious by one bird. It was close, the competition was very close. The course was pretty tough but we managed.”

Ziadie was good enough for the runner-up spot.

Aliana McMaster posted her third win of the Rangers Gun Club shoot out of four attempts. She was laser-focused on the day while winning her section by 12 birds ahead of Lori-Ann Harris, who shot 74 behind McMaster’s 86. Defending champion Wendy McMaster shot 70 to place third in the class.

“I came out here to just have fun so I really just came out to just enjoy the basic factor of just coming out to shoot and spend time with my family — and, honestly, it’s just such a blessing that I am able to regain the title of Ladies Champion” Aliana said.

The shooters battled a 17-station driving course while the conditions were hot, humid, windy and cloudy at times. They faced targets of varying types, including true pairs (birds launched at the same time), rabbits (birds released on the ground), birds in the air released at different speeds and directions, as well as some targets released over gentle flowing streams on the flush green course.

Part proceeds from the event went to the Food For the Poor organisation.

The event’s top shooters:

A Class – Ray McMaster 90

B Class – Zachary Harris 77

C Class – Justin Samuda 81

D Class – Phillip Burgess 83

E Class – Tariq Nembhard 76

Hunters or Beginners – Zane Byron 73

Ladies – Aliana McMaster 86

Juniors – JJ Ralston 87