Sheer determination marked the performances of all elite shooters at Bidnija last weekend. The Bonnici Brothers competition was the final and the decisive shoot to select the Trap shooters for the Commonwealth Games next month in Manchester, England.
The inclement weather did not bring the best performance out of the competitors... but not for all. Antoine Bugeja's speed and sharp reflexes triumphed over the strong winds and enabled him to shoot three 24s to enter the final on 115 clays, five targets clear of John Marmara, Joe Attard and Nicky Carabott, and three clays over the MQS mark.
The barrage final was only the refrain to finish the song, and only determined the second placing to Marmara and third to Attard after a shoot-off with Carabott. The latter, along with Attard, will represent Malta in the Trap competition in the Commonwealth Games.
The competition was a 125-clay and a 25-clay barrage on two days. The class placings were on the 50 clays shot on Sunday.
Class A: 1. J. Marmara 46; 2. A. Bugeja 46; 3. J. Attard 44. Class B: 1. F. Scorfna 39; 2. C. Abela 39; 3. A. Brincat 37. Class C: 1. R. Mangani 39; 2. J. Gregory 39; 3. W. Rogers 36. Final: 1. A. Bugeja (115+22) 137; 2. J. Marmara (110+23) 133; 3. J. Attard (110+22) 132; 4. N. Carabott (110+22) 132; 5. F. Pace (109+20) 129; 6. B. Galea (109+19) 128.
Another final selection shoot was in the airweapon disciplines. This was on 60 shots for a total of 600 points and the final. The air-rifle competition went to youngster William Vella who won with ease to book his place for Manchester.
The talent of Vella is evident and if he maintains his competition spirit he can reach high levels in this sport. He shot a reputable score of 565, and were it not for a mistake in the final shot he would definitely have surpassed the MQS mark.
Air-rifle: 1. W. Vella (565+97.8) 662.8; 2. M. Abela (553+93.2) 646.2; 3. L. Darmanin (551+95.2) 646.2. A one shot shoot-off decided the second place to Abela.
MQS level is a norm for Anton Camilleri. Given that this was the final shoot of the season, he has established a milestone, shooting over the Olympic MQS in all competitions he entered.
Air-pistol: 1. A. Camilleri (568+94.0) 662; 2. R. Cacciattolo (530+96.9) 626.9.
Games' selection
The shooting team for the Commonwealth Games has now been selected, with the exception of the Double Trap and Skeet where the final shoot will be held this weekend. Trap - J. Attard; N. Carabott. Air-rifle - W. Vella; M. Abela; Air-pistol - A. Camilleri; R. Cacciattolo.