The La Rabassa range was tinted with the red and white colours of Malta yesterday after Double Trap shooter William Chetcuti won his second consecutive GSSE gold medal. Emanuel Grima added to the celebrations by finishing second behind the 'Bidnija prodigy'.

For the shooting federation this was the third consecutive GSSE Double Trap title and the second time their representatives filled the highest two steps of the podium after Philip Busuttil had won gold in San Marino 2001 ahead of the then emerging Chetcuti.

The Maltese were in prime form yesterday as they led the overall table ahead of the barrage in comfortable fashion - Chetcuti easily on top with 135 clays, 14 better off than second-placed Grima. The latter had a four-point lead over third-placed Maurizio Zonzini, of San Marino.

As the results clearly show, Chetcuti's title defence was never in danger as he shot another solid 44 to run out easy winner with an overall tally of 179.

Grima had to sweat though to seal his second placing, one position better than 2003. He had some misses and that enabled Zonzini and Cypriot Stephen Theodotou to get back in contention to challenge for the silver medal.

However, Grima regained composure and with his opponents succumbing to the pressure he held on to the runner-up spot for a total of 161... two clays ahead of Theodotou and Zonzini. These two had to shoot off for the bronze medal with the Cypriot landing the honour on the second clay.

"I was confident of winning this medal but I still enjoyed it like I did in Malta two years ago," Chetcuti said.

"The result looks clear but it was not all straightforward. In the opening two rounds I was under pressure but once I found my range I felt much better and shot with more precision for the rest of the competition.

"I'm also very happy for my friend Grima. What we achieved together is good for the country in these Games and a great boost to the sport as well."

Grima sported a wide grin on his face when the competition was over. He said that after this medal he felt the time was right for him to retire from international sport.

"It's a great day for me," he said. "Today I felt really confident. I was shooting very well from the start and even when I missed a couple of shots in the barrage I always believed that I would not lose this silver medal.

"This success has come at the right time because I believe I'm becoming a little bit too old to hold clear reflexes and retain top form.

"Perhaps, it is time for me to seriously analyse the situation and decide whether I retire or not.

"Whatever I decide, shooting has given me great satisfaction and I hope that our federation continues to enjoy more success for many years to come."

Vella fifth in Skeet

Earlier in the day, all eyes were on Paul Vella in the Skeet competition. At the start of the final, he was two clays behind third-placed Moreno Benedittini, of San Marino, after compiling 111 from 125 shot in the first three rounds.

Two years ago in Malta, Vella had also started the barrage fourth before hitting a straight that earned him the silver medal. Deep inside Vella's supporters were hoping that this could happen again but, unfortunately for the Malta shooter, this time things went differently.

He hit a 22 for a final 131 score but that was not enough to topple Benedittini as the latter hit the same number of clays to make sure he finished third. Vella also had to concede fourth place to Iceland's Orn Valdimarrson who finished on 132.

Antonakis Andreou took gold for Cyprus with 139 overall ahead of compatriot Andreas Chasikos, 137.

"I don't know what to say," Vella said.

"I had never trained so hard and still on the day I was out of the medals zone.

"The throwing machine did not function properly but that's not enough to explain my position because that happened to everybody not just me."

"Being the only Skeet shooter in the national team is very difficult," he added. "Today I had everybody behind me but throughout the year I practise mostly on my own without a qualified coach. That makes it very difficult and unless that changes I cannot see myself improving."

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