Albany shooters on target in Queensland

Albany shooters Steve Hurley and Bill Wellington fine-tuned for the Australian Lever Action Rifle Championships next month, returning from the Queensland State Championships in top form recently.

Hurley, who this year claimed his sixth Albany Sportsperson of the Year Award, enjoyed victories in both the classic calibre AAA Grade and the open AAA Grade, with his combined score giving him the title of State two-gun champion on September 6.

Hurley finished 38 points clear of traditional rival Don Chesworth from NSW in a convincing win, while Wellington was the combined two-gun veteran winner and finished an impressive fourth in the overall open two-gun.

On the first day of competition at the Brisbane International Shooting Complex, Wellington won the classic calibre A-grade before going on to finish runner-up in the open A-grade.

Hurley said having two shooters finish in the overall top four in a State event was an impressive result for the Albany Lever Action Rifle Club.

"I was very impressed with how consistent Bill shot over the two days," he said.

"I think this may have been his best performance yet."

Hurley said he was happy with his form leading up to the Australian championships, having already this year backed up a stellar 2014 with a WA State title and a runner-up spot in NSW.

"I was very happy with how things went, especially on the second day - you always go to these events, which can be a bit of an unknown," he said.

"I pulled away on the second day, I had a cracker.

"I'm shooting all right at the moment."

Six members from the Albany club will trek to Canberra this Sunday for the Australian championships from October 3-5.

Joining Hurley and Wellington will be fellow Albany shooters Mick McDonnell, Kim and Sue Knapp and Richard Colmer.