Sunday, April 15th: As dawn broke over the rolling hills of Stellarton, NS, the air buzzed with anticipation. It was the 2nd day of the annual 22LR indoor match, hosted by the prestigious Pictou County Military Rifle Association (PCMRA). MRPC members were ready to test their mettle against the best in the region.

The scene was set for a match unlike any other. However, amidst the excitement, there was a notable absence — their coach, Gary Latimer, whose expert guidance had propelled the team to greatness in practise, was called away to Florida. Despite his absence, his spirit lingered in the tips and tricks he had imparted to the team.

Undeterred, MRPC members took to the firing line after just one brief afternoon of preparation at home. With newly acquired firearms in hand and adrenaline coursing through their veins, they faced the challenge head-on.

Among the seasoned (local) veterans boasting perfect scores of 600 out of 600 possible points, there emerged two unlikely contenders: Ethan Huang, wielding a vintage, classic Canadian Coey with a 6x scope straight out of the last century, and Noah Anderson, armed with his gleaming new Ruger Precision. Noah was shooting scores of 95 and 93 on a few targets. Bravo. Their determination to get competition experience was palpable. 

As shots rang out and targets were peppered with precision, the battlefield came alive with the thrill of competition. Joe MacHoll, armed with his new Bergara rifle, taken off the wall after hanging there for a year, showcased his prowess with impeccable accuracy, earning accolades as the top Metro performer in the F-Class category. He shot one target (10 shots) with 9 X’s and a 10 = 100 points. His highlight of the day.

But it was not just about individual triumphs; it was about the collective achievement of the MRPC team. Despite facing hurdles and equipment challenges, they rallied together, pushing each other to new heights of excellence.

In the end, as the dust settled and the final scores were tallied, MRPC emerged victorious. Their triumph was not just measured in points and X’s on paper, but in the bonds forged on the firing line and the memories made in the heat of battle and in conversations with other competitors in the clubhouse.

A big ‘THANK YOU’ was given to the organizers, the ROs, the helpers, the scorers, and everyone helped to make this event such a success.

As the ‘Cape Bretoners’ (called to the line that way) gathered to celebrate their success, amidst laughter and shared stories, they knew that this was more than just a competition—it was a testament to the indomitable spirit of camaraderie and determination that defines the MRPC family and other shooting clubs in Canada and all over the world.

And with hearts full of pride, they looked forward to the next challenge, knowing that together, they could conquer anything that came their way. That’s the way they felt on their drive home to Cape Breton.