Vella hits season-best score in air-rifle event

William Vella vindicated his selection by the Maltese Olympic Committee (MOC) to represent the country in next month’s Commonwealth Games with a superb showing in an air-rifle competition in Bidnija last weekend.

Vella, who is slated for the 10m air-rifle and 50m Prone Rifle events in New Delhi, placed first at the Malta Shooting Sport Federation ranges with a season’s best score of 577/600.

During the competition, organised by the Malta Air Rifle and Pistol Club, he went on to shoot a formidable 102.2 in the final that followed for a total score of 679.2.

Lawrence Darmanin was second, with an overall tally of 639.4, and Michael Xuereb followed in third place with a combined score of 597.8.

In the air-pistol event, Eleanor Bezzina, who will join Vella at the Commonwealth Games, also produced a fine performance to win the competition with a score of 459.2 (362+97.2).

Bezzina is also gearing up for New Delhi and during the competition she obtained a personal best score in the final.

Josette Calleja was second in the final classification with a combined total score of 410.8 points.

Also last weekend, Ray Cacciattolo obtained a total of 616.5 in the men’s air-pistol event.