The past weekend shooting competitions commenced on Saturday afternoon with the RMF Malta Championship 2003 for airweapons at the newly-refurbished Larry Vella Hall in Bidnija.

This venue has now been upgraded to ISSF standard and coherent with international rules regarding background colour, lighting system and other requirements.

However, the flicker in the light units, caused by the new power installation, and the 'new surroundings' seemed to have affected shooters negatively in both disciplines.

No competitor shot up to the standard that had been reached in previous weeks. It seems that more practising is required to fine tune the shooters and adjust accordingly to the new set-up.

Air-rifle: 1. William Vella 658.1; 2. Lawrence Darmanin 652.7; 3. Mario Abela 647.9.

Air-pistol: 1. Anton Camilleri 654.5; 2. Ray Cacciattolo 640.2; 3. Tony Galea 606.2.

On Sunday, the clay ranges at Bidnija were also in use. Silvio Attard shot a good score in the competition stage but slowed his momentum in the barrage.

Joe Genovese seized the opportunity to catch up with a significant 23. A shoot-off was needed and here Attard regained his touch to claim the final.

Result: 1. Silvio Attard 65; 2. Joe Genovese 65; 3. Paul Vella 63.

William Chetcuti was then in a class of his own in the Double Trap competition on 150+50. He finished with an 18-point lead over his nearest rival.

Result: 1. William Chetcuti 167; 2. Philip Busuttil 149; 3. Godfrey Ciangura 148.

Meanwhile, the weekend Trap appointment was kept on the range at the Southern Shooting Club in Hal Far. The Edsons Trophy was at stake in this 50+25 shoot which saw Stanley Cardona claiming the honours after trailing Charles Abela in the competition stage.

Result: 1. Stanley Cardona 62; 2. Charles Abela 61; 3. Frank Scorfna 60; 4. Emmanuel Attard 59; 5. Kurt Cardona 56; 6. Charles Abdilla 55.