Italian shooters were the prominent figures in the top positions of the 2009 Malta International Grand Prix which came to a close at the Bidnija ranges, yesterday.

There were 62 Trap shooters taking part, mostly locals. They were joined by others from Great Britain besides the ones from Italy.

Malta's only shooter in the top-six final was Nicky Carabott. He finished fourth overall on 138 points. The competition was won by Daniele Resca, 141.

He was followed by Italian compatriots Stefano Pennoni, 140, and Fabio Sollami, 139.

Two other Italian shooters, Emilio Cecucci, 138, and Matteo Marcellini, 136, completed the list in the barrage at the end of yesterday's round of 75 clays.

The competition was of a high standard with 11 straights registered over the two days.

Malta's Trap representative in the Cyprus GSSE, Nazzareno Attard, also took part but finished outside the final with a score of 112.

The other trap shooter in the Games will be Frans Pace who did not take part in the Grand Prix.

In the competition for teams, the Italian National Team placed first with 355 points ahead of Foligno 354. Malta, with Carabott, Attard and Ryan Bugeja in the side, finished third on 340.

Result: 1. D. Resca (121+20) 141; 2. S. Pennoni (120+20) 140; 3. F. Sollami (120+19) 139; 4. N. Carabott (116+22) 138; 5. E. Cecucci (119+19) 138; 6. M. Marcellini (115+21) 136.