FOR the second year in a row the Orange and District Pistol Club has defeated arch rivals Bathurst in the annual Invitational Pistol Competition.

The sides clashed at the Bathurst Air Pistol range on the weekend where the Orange shooters showed plenty of talent in the new facility.

Orange won the aggregate with 517 compared to Bathurst’s 417.

The Orange team produced some great results and Duncan Lockwood and his son Lloyd were great additions to the winning club.

Also Included in the Orange side were Brian Johnson, Michael Jadezak, Helen Johnson and Lara Cowling as well as Lithgow’s Jeff Langlands and Bathurst’s Bryant Oliver.

The Orange club members are keen to defend the title in 2010 where it is expected Mudgee and Parkes could compete.

Lara Cowling has been busy recently being the only Orange representative at the recent Vintage ISSF Championships and the CMPC Championships.

At the Vintage ISSF Championships she was third in the D grade 25m standard pistol with a score of 490 and the A grade 25m ladies sport pistol with 540.

She was also fourth in the A grade 10m ladies air pistol with a score of 361.

Cowling won gold at the CMPC Championships in Sydney when she took out the A grade 25m ladies sport pistol with her score of 558.

She also finished third in the A grade 10m ladies air pistol with a score of 361.

Many Orange and District Pistol Club members are preparing for the 52nd ISSF/Pistol Australia National Championships which will be held at Cessnock from April 5-12.