Nicholas Benjamin an Aliana McMaster cop major titles at Jackson Bay Hunting & Fishing Club Sporting Clay tournament

Nicholas Benjamin and Aliana McMaster beat more than 150 competitors on Sunday (February 12) to be crowned the Highest Overall Champion and Ladies Champion respectively at the first Jackson Bay Hunting & Fishing Club Sporting Clay tournament in Clarendon in 25 years.

Benjamin was the only shooter to score in the 90s, having shot 90 and hitting all six targets at eight of the course’s 17 stations.

McMaster shot 78 to win the women’s section ahead of Wendy McMaster’s 77, but had to engage Kashka Jones in a playoff to determine the junior champion after Jones also shot 78.

Benjamin said afterwards that the challenging conditions sweetened the win.

“I’m very humbled, very happy to win today. It wasn’t easy,” he said.

“The course itself was fair. It wasn’t an overly difficult course but that combined with the conditions – it was very hot, it was very windy, there was no shade. The wind plays a big part in the course itself and all these things combined made it a not overly difficult day, but not a very easy one.

“It’s also my first time taking pictures by the sea. I think the sea breeze was more effective than the ocean. I think that made it more difficult than just having the sea as a background.”

Three shooters were involved in a playoff to determine the runner-up and A-class champion after shooting all 89 in regulation time.

Shaun Barnes shot a perfect eight of eight to take second place, while last year’s national shotgun champion Chad Ziadie shot seven of eight for first place in the A Class and Bruce DeQuesnay six for second place in the A Class sagged.

Ray McMaster finished third in the “long run” ahead of Ian Banks and Christian Sasso after shooting 88 each.

McMaster and Jones had to shoot three rounds before a winner would emerge.

They both shot sevens and sixes in the first and second rounds, respectively, but McMaster shot a perfect eight of eight on Jones’ six in the third round.

“I enjoyed spinning the track, going through the different stations and watching the different presentations,” McMaster said afterwards, “but I faced a lot of challenges today; External variables like breaking traps or walking with the sun or whatever, it was basically all coming at me at once, so it was quite a difficult time, but I pushed through it.”

She said the experience helped her sting.

“When I go into a jump-off, I have an idea from experience of what to do and what not to do,” she said.

“You just try to keep to yourself, ignoring everything but the task at hand. It was a really good experience because no matter how experienced you are you will still get the nerves so it’s really nice to be able to experience that again. To be honest, coming out victorious feels really great.”

The following are the top three shooters in each class: A Class: Chad Ziadie 89 (S/O), Bruce DuQuesnay 89 (S/O), Ray McMaster 88 (L/R)

B Class: Michael Banbury 83, Najeeb Haber 78 (L/R), Brandon King 78 (L/R)

C Class: Ramon Pitter (83), Ricky DuQuesnay (81), Wendy McMaster (77).

D class: Matthew Sale 76, Marlon King 75, Noah Vaughn 74

E class: Kashka Jones 78, Matthew Morin 69, Carlton Davis 68

Hunter or Rookie: Daren Gordon 79, Tariq Nembhard 77, and Andrew Clarke 72

Women: Aliana McMaster 78, Wendy McMaster 77, Lori Ann Harris 75

Juniors: Aliana McMaster 78 (S/O), Kashka Jones 78 (S/O), Lori Anne Harris 75

Sub-Juniors: Che Rowe 61, Craig Powel Jr. 56 and Adam Clacken 51

Hunter or Novice: Seymour Essor 75 (S/O), Lori Anne Harris 75 (S/O), Max Williams 71.