Another Roberto Scalzone Cup has been ran and won for 2025 with great success.
A massive amount of work behind the scenes goes into this event each year to ensure its success, and no stone is left unturned to make it an event all about the competitors.
Hot conditions for Saturday and Sunday were forecast and there was a mad dash to get hold of some gazebos for shooters to shoot under so they were out of the sun. These were arranged and appreciated by all making it much cooler to compete. Ice cold bottles of water were also at the layouts in Eskies, for competitors who were designated to stay back to ref and score after shooting.
We were also again blessed to have Angelo Scalzone join us this year despite arriving a little late due to a delay.
Competition got underway shortly after Fil Petriella welcomed everyone for the weekend and went over the schedule of how the event would run. Shooters then hit the tracks to get things underway.
While shooters battled the heat they also had to battle the flies which were very friendly but this didn't seem to bother Mitch Iles who has an outstanding record in this event as Mitch went on to finish day 1 on an amazing 99/100, a 2 target lead over Lucas Furlan on 97 with Gabe Sensi, Nathan Argiro and Vinnie Mollica all on 96.
This event has a Barrage and not a final, meaning the top shooter in each grade progresses through as well as Angelo Scalzone. The leaders in each grade were also hotly contested to see who would qualify for Sunday's Barrage. Sam Daou a previous winner of this event had a 2 target lead in A grade on 92/100 over Stephen Pearson and Lloyd Parks on 90 respectively. Liz Schroeter on 87 had a 1 target lead over Riley Hughes Gage in B grade. Damien Mould who qualified for the Barrage in 2024 had a slender 1 target lead on 88/100 over Craig Sessions for C grade. Day 2 was going to be a great day to watch.
Day 2 dawned overcast and warm and our friendly flies were also back in force, there was also a little bit more of a breeze to make the day interesting. The Laporte Grand Prix 24 Eco 30 targets however, still flew as true as ever and left a nice big ball of white smoke when centered ensuring scores still remained high.
After the 200targets were completed it was Mitch Iles who shot the house down with an amazing 196/200 and given the trying conditions was a fantastic score, blitzing the rest of the field by 5 targets to take out the OA sash and $1,000 cash thanks to
Danny Di Pietro of Nillumbik Cellars.
Full Results
OA - Mitch Iles 196/200
AA 1st; Gabe Sensi 191/200 + 2/2
AA 2nd: James Willett 191/200 + 1/2
A 1st: Sam Daou 183/200
A 2nd: Mick Burling 179/200
B 1st: Liz Schroeter 172/200
B 2nd: Dylan Naylor 171/200
C 1st: Craig Sessions 169/200
C 2nd: Damien Mould 165/200
Best Lady: Laetisha Scanlan 174/200
This meant along with Angelo, Mitch (AA grade), Sam (A grade), Liz (B grade) and Craig (C grade) had won their way through to the final barrage. The lucky shooter drawn at random to join them was Chelsea Beechey.
The Barrage took place on time at 5:30pm with 25 Flash targets shot Double Barrel. AA & A grade shooters competed off scratch, B grade had 1 target added to their score and the C grade competitors had 2 targets added to their score.
Barrage scores with handicap added were:
Angelo Scalzone 25/25
Mitch Iles 24/25
Liz Schroeter 22/25
Craig Sessions 20/25
Sam Daou 20/25
Chelsea Beechey 17/25
This made Angelo Scalzone the 2025 winner of the Roberto Scalzone Cup seeing him get his name engraved on his father's trophy and an invite for 2026 to compete in the Grand Barrage where all 6 winners of the award will compete to determine the grand winner. Congratulazioni Angelo Scalzone!
We also had some lucky draw prizes with heaps of winners as well, and the following shooters all have won free entries to 2026 event:
Junior Draw - Ollie Zielezna & Cameron Ford
Ladies Draw - Laetisha Scanlan & Kiara Dean
Winning Team- Game on Moles - Liz Schroeter, Kiara Dean & Craig Henwood
Lucky Squad - Squad 9
So concluded the 2025 Roberto Scalzone Cup which again ran flawlessly thanks to all the efforts from everyone who contributed their valuable time. Judith & Steve on the scoreboard, Mark Z taking his photos and live feed for the Barrage that came out amazing, the crew from MGC who helped have the grounds prepared (Dallas, Rod, Mel & Happy) and everyone who helped fill traps, put Gazebos up and down and get the Flash targets in for the Barrage it was greatly appreciated.
2026 will be the final of the RS Tribute Cup and will be held over 4 layouts with 96 shooter capacity and 2 Barrages making it a great final send off for the event. Dates for 2026 event will be made once we know the dates of the 2026 ISSF Nationals.
Than you again for everyone who made the 2025 RS Cup one to remember.