JERSEY’S fullbore riflemen won yesterday’s RAF International at Bisley when, with 1158 points, their eight-strong team finished eight points clear of second-placed Malaysia to take the Eagle Trophy.

, writes Chris Lake.

The words Colin Mallett, captain of the overall squad, said before they left: ‘We have a feeling that something special could happen this year,’ could give a hint of even more success with the main team match, the Kolapore, yet to come.

David Le Quesne held his nerve to top score with 148 ex-150, with 18 v-bulls, followed by Peter Stock also with 148 (12 v-bulls).

Other scorers were Wally Langley and Cliff Mallett (146); John Norman (145); Graeme Harris (143); and Alan Le Sueur and Dan Richardson (141).

Speaking from the firing range immediately after the competition, Richardson said: ‘It was better over 600 yards than 500.

It was very hot and still – but the worst problem was the mirage effect.

The coaches were glued to the scopes all day.’ Shooting the 500 yards contest earlier in the day, the marksmen had a tricky wind to contend with, that kept flicking round and pushing them off the bull.

Canada were third with 1,146 points in the ten nation competition.

Jersey had kicked off their campaign with third place, behind two Great Britain teams, in the British Commonwealth match on Tuesday night.

‘To be honest our performance was average, at best,’ Richardson said, ‘although it was our first shoot of the meet and it was late in the day.

The light was beginning to go and the wind was a bit dodgy.

‘Our overall score was 1168 with 68 vBulls and the winning team scored 1188 and 140 vBulls! The winners were the top GB shooters who won the Grand Aggregate last year.

We hoped we’d be able to up our game a bit for the next match, the RAF International which was yesterday.’ The team of eight – David Le Quesne, Graeme Harris, John Norman, Cliff Mallett, Wally Langley, Alan Le Sueur, Peter Stock and Richardson – were coached by Chris Cotillard and Alex Langley.

Today there is a chance for Victoria College to shine, when their youthful shooters take part in the annual Ashburton public schools’ competition while the Old Victorians among the Jersey squad will compete in the Public Schools Veterans’ competition.