Story by Peter Jones
A fullbore shooting veteran and a rookie ensured Marlborough’s proud fullbore shooting reputation remained high during the national championships at Trentham late last week. Kaituna/Blenheim club stalwart Malcolm Dodson, winner of the highly-prized Ballinger Belt in 2016, finished second in the battle for New Zealand’s oldest sporting trophy at the Trentham range, near Wellington.
He lost by five points in tricky conditions during Saturday’s final to Te Puke’s Mike Collings who became the first shooter in 150 years to defend the title. The Belt was first contested 161 years ago.