ISLAND Games smallbore silver medallists Scott Douglas and David Turner are off to Bisley today to compete in the British Championships – with their sights firmly fixed on the next Commonwealth Games.

‘This will be my fourth year at Bisley,’ said 17-year-old Douglas.

‘I finished in ninth place in the junior championships last year and am hoping for better scores this time and to move up several places this year.’My shooting has got better because my mental approach has improved, but I’ve had problems with a shoulder injury and a groin strain.

But I’m definitely well on the way to recovery.’He travels with team-mate and coach Turner and the two will compete individually.’I don’t know if we will be able to shoot as a team,’ added Douglas.

‘There are several Jersey shooters going, but only David and I are competing with air rifles.

We need three for a team, so depending on who goes from Guernsey, we may be able to form a Channel Islands team.’For 29-year-old Turner, the current Island champion, this trip to Bisley will be his fifth.

‘I’ve had various shooting partners over that time, and now Scotty has become my sidekick,’ he said.Turner added: ‘I’m shooting a lot better than at this time last year.

I got a new rifle last May and it’s taken me a while to get used to it – although we did well at the Island Games – so this time I’m hoping to get some good scores together at Bisley.’Championship scores at Bisley count towards Commonwealth Games selection, and both shooters are aiming for that goal.

There are six qualifying elements which they will have to produce for possible Commonwealth team selection.’One is to shoot a 575 ex 600,’ Douglas said.

He scored 580 ex 600 to win last year’s CI championships.

‘It got my campaign off to a good start, but I was lucky,’ he said.How they fare at Bisley depends on many variables, Turner said.

‘There will be about 120 competitors from all over Britain, including several potential Olym-pians, which will be a fantastic experience and opportunity for us.

‘I finished 21st in the championship last year, and while I certainly don’t expect to win, I hope I can improve on last year’s result.’