Bezzina, Darmanin claim top spots

The decisive selection shoot for the Postal Eley/NSRA competition in the UK took place last weekend at the indoor range in Bidnija.

Results will now be sent to the National Smallbore Rifle Association, of England, for classification purposes and eventual selection for the prestigious event in April.

Twelve competitors contested the selection shoot in front of a sizeable crowd as this sport is rapidly gaining in popularity on our shores.

In air-pistol, Eleanor Bezzina headed the field (368+93.5) for a total of 461.5 to beat the stiff competition from Ray Cacciattolo (360+93.3). Stephen Vassallo was third with a score of 441.2 points.

The top three were followed by Martin Grech (413.1), Alfred Cini (404.8), Josette Calleja Galea (401.2) and Mario Mallia Milanes (364.9).

The air-rifle event saw the return of Lawrence Darmanin.

He shot his way to the top with a total of 454.9 points (358+96.9).

Only four points separated the next three shooters behind Darmanin and the final shoot was decisive to determine the final placings.

Michael Xuereb had one of his best performances in the final to secure the runner-up spot with 436.6 points (343+ 93.6). He finished ahead of Romeo Zuber (428.9), Alison Vella (427.7) and Annabel Borg (420.9).

A-Z Electronics director Noel Sammut distributed trophies to the winners at the end of competition time.