Geoffrey Ziadie and Aliana McMaster outshot a field of more than 100 competitors at the Jackson Bay Sporting Clay Tournament to capture the Highest Overall (HOA) and Ladies titles, respectively. The event, the first sporting clay competition on the Jamaica Skeet Club’s calendar, was held last Sunday at the club’s facility in Portland Cottage, Clarendon.

The victories did not come easily. Ziadie, McMaster, and Peter Mahfood were locked in a three-way tie after each shot 92 out of a possible 100 targets in the main round, forcing a shoot-off to determine the HOA champion. Mahfood hit four of eight targets to take the runner-up position, followed by McMaster with three. Ziadie sealed the title by breaking six targets to claim top honours.

“I felt really good today,” Ziadie said. “Coming out of no shooting for some time since Bird Season last year, I shot one tournament in Christmas before the hamper. I did well. I think I was first place.

“I’ve been doing some mental training and some visualisation with my coach, Kaleel Azan, and it just worked out great. Not much practice, but understanding what targets are doing and mentally focusing to shoot, and today was my day.

“I came out on top, tied with three other people. Went into a shoot-off, and I end up being successful, shooting six out of eight. At 57 I’m proud to say that I came out on top.”

McMaster, who successfully defended three titles on the day, was pleased with her performance.

“I’m so grateful for all of the titles since that I’ve been able to defend and maintain,” she said. “I’m very grateful for just the opportunity to come out here and compete and then just being able to come out on top.

“There were some challenges that I did face on the course; however, I’m not really frustrated with myself. I just understand that that was a process that happened and I gladly accept everything that has happened.

“I’m grateful for Juniors first, grateful for A-Class first, and I’m grateful for Ladies first.”

Two additional shoot-offs were required to decide class champions. Rory Wilson broke five of eight targets to take B Class ahead of Brian Kong after both shot 87 in the main round. In D Class, Denzil Dixon hit four targets to defeat Rheis McMaster after both finished on 83.

Jamaica Skeet Club president, Sean Clacken, expressed satisfaction with the event and highlighted the club’s community involvement.

“We’re extremely; very, very happy. Couldn’t ask for anything better,” Clacken said. “Every year we try to raise funds towards the Portland Cottage Primary School. We live in a community and operate in a community and we must be part of the community, so we’ve always believed that we must help out.”

Class Results (Top Three):

A Class: Aliana McMaster 92; Chad Ziadie 90 (2nd); Roman Tavares-Finson 90 (3rd, long run)

B Class: Rory Wilson 87 (1st, S/O); Brian Kong 87 (2nd, S/O); Adam Vaz 85

C Class: Max Williams 86; Zaniel Knight 84 (2nd, long run); Sean Clacken 84 (3rd, long run)

D Class: Denzil Dixon 83 (1st, S/O); Rheis McMaster 83 (2nd, S/O); Nick Dawson 82

E Class: Stephen Silvera 79; Kevin Chin Shue 78; Rueben Carillo 77

Hunters/Beginners: Perrin Gayle 79; Jude Bernard 73; Liam Samuda 72

Ladies: Aliana McMaster 92; Wendy McMaster 79; Danica Williams 76

Juniors: Aliana McMaster 92; Cameron Lee 80; Adam Clacken 66

Sub-Juniors: Rheis McMaster 83; Danica Williams 76; Liam Samuda 72

Champions Aliana McMaster (centre) and Geoffrey Ziadie (right) share a happy moment with Jackson Bay Hunting & Fishing Club President Sean Clacken while displaying their trophies.