MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) – Members of the Louis Trichardt Clay Pigeon Club did their town proud on June 14 and 15 by securing themselves places during the African Grand tournament held in Bloemfontein. The event was held in conjunction with the Mackintosh DTL (Down the Line) Shoot.

As part of the five member South African team, Howard Pennells of Louis Trichardt helped steer the team to victory in the DTL Shoot with a combined total of 4 366 points out of a possible 5 000. Several commonwealth en ex-commonwealth countries compete in this event. This year, South Africa competed against Ireland, Australia and Zimbabwe. The South African team's victory once again secured Howard national colours in the event.

Howard, together with fellow local club members Hans Uys and Dries van der Walt, also formed part of the twenty-member South African senior men's team, which took part in the annual Mackintosh tournament. Howard's daughter, Samantha Pennells, on the other hand, formed part of the four-member South African ladies team, which took part in the shoot. All of them obtained their national Mackintosh colours. Apart from Howard, it was the first time that these colours were awarded to his fellow club members. Another shot from the Limpopo, Christo Strydom from Polokwane, also obtained his Mackintosh colours.

Howard's other daughter, Jessica Pennells, also did well to finish third overall in the Amstel ATA Trap African Grand (16 yards, 200 birds), by shooting 183 points out of a possible 200 in two disciplines. Her effort was above the 88% average and she was awarded her junior Clay Target Shooting Associations of South Africa (SASA) colours. Howard came second in the A class of the competition after shooting a total of 194 out of a possible 200. The winning score was 198 out of a possible 200.

Apart from the members mentioned above, several other members of the local club also participated in the event. They were Steve Krügel, Deon Fourie and Piet Oosthuizen.