Shaun Gwillim, 15, and Matthew Clark, 14, are two of the best young shooters in the country. And they have the medals to prove it.
The two Tauranga Boys' College students won plenty of plaudits for their efforts at the New Zealand Clay Target Association Skeet Nationals in Christchurch last week.
Clark won the A Grade and was top junior In the NZ 410 Gauge Skeet Championship and in the NZ 20 Gauge Skeet Championship he placed third in A grade and again was top junior. Gwillim was second overall in the NZ Skeet Handicap Championship and the top junior in the event. He also was third in the NZ 20-gauge Skeet Championship and second in the NZ Skeet Doubles Championship in B grade.
They both shot 49/50 in qualifying for the NZ Skeet Handicap Championship. Clark shot a further 113 targets before his last miss to earn a credible 6th place in New Zealand. Gwillim shot a further 158 targets before his last miss to end up second in New Zealand and the top Junior.
Clark's scores over the whole week also saw him win the Junior All Gauges High Gun Cup with a score of 425/450.