SHOOTING

ORANGE’S Dean Brus and Dave Oates have earned selection in the Australian team for this year’s WA 1500 World Championships.

Their selection came after a strong performance at the recent 52nd ISSF/Pistol Australia National Championships at Cessnock.

The duo dominated the WA 1500 events in Cessnock with Oates taking out the WA 1500 pistol event shooting 1480 out of 1500.

Brus was fourth with his score of 1470.

Brus took out the WA 1500 revolver event with 1488 while Oates was fourth with 1478.

Brus claimed a further two gold medals at the national event winning the service pistol 25 yard and the service pistol unrestricted.

He was also fifth in the service pistol.

Oates had another top 10 result when he was eighth in the black powder 25m.

Orange’s Max Wicks produced some outstanding results finishing fifth in the service pistol 25 yard.

He also joined with Brus to help NSW win gold in the service pistol 25 yard teams event.

Orange shooters featured in the team events with Brus and Oates helping NSW to take out the WA 1500 revolver team title.

Brus, Oates and Wicks helped NSW to bronze in the service pistol unrestricted teams where they were beaten by 27 points.

Brus was also part of the NSW team which won gold in the service pistol teams event.

The results of Brus, Oates and new NSW team member Wicks ensured the state side was able to retain the Phillip Adams OAM trophy.

Another Orange shooter, Lara Cowling, contested her first National where she finished eighth in the women’s 25m pistol event.

Orange was also well-represented by Brian and Helen Johnson who, as well as shooting, spent time scoring and judging.

Brus and Oates will contest the 2009 WA 1500 World Championships in Germany from August 14-16.