DESPITE missing out on a place in today’s final, air rifle shooter David Turner believes he has achieved what he set out to do at the Commonwealth Games.

In a semi-final round earlier today, he shot 96, 96, 95, 99, 98, 97, giving him a total of 581 out of a possible 600.

But due to the strength on the international field at Melbourne International Shooting Club, Turner was unable to progress to the finals with his final position of 17th.

However, his aim was to get a score of 580 plus, and although he hasn’t been able to manage that in training, he finally cracked it today.

After the shoot, the Shetland Island Games silver medalist said: ‘Realistically, I would have loved to have got into the final, but with a field this good, it was always going to be tough.

‘I have been practicing my starts all week, as I was finding I was being bit slow at times.

But I did it again today but at least half way through I was able to relax a bit and then shot really well.

I am pleased with my score and my aim has been to shoot 580 plus, I have just done that.’ Shooting team manager Mo Le Mottée said: ‘I think he performed first class today.

He has finished in the middle of the list and I am very pleased with that for him.

He’s applied himself very well to the job and trained very hard indeed and did everything he should have done – he’s first class.’ As Turner is not in any other events, his Commonwealth Games has now finished.

When asked what he intends to do with the rest of his week, he replied: ‘Time for a few beers, I think.’