Jersey captain Bruce Horwood

A TEAM from the Jersey Rifle Association set the benchmark for overseas shooters at last night’s British Commonwealth Rifle Club match in Bisley, Surrey.

The match at the National Shooting Centre was eventually won by a home team from the BCRC with a total score of 1184, but the Jersey team – which was without a full side – outperformed Canada, Kenya, South Africa and an international select team.

The under strength Jersey side scored 1157 to beat a full strength Canadian side by two points and Jersey has not shot below 1189 this year with a full team.

Jersey captain Bruce Horwood said: ‘This is a great result. We are not yet at full strength and with a number of our best shooters still to arrive on camp we have succeeded in beating top competition from the overseas countries.’

During the shoot, which was mostly dry but with intermittent showers and a light to moderate wind, Jersey had four maximum scores of 50 at 300 yards, three 50s at 500 yards and one 50 at 600 yards.

The match produced only one score of 150 from all 15 teams but Horwood and Island Games multi gold medallist, Mary Norman, both scored 149.

Today Jersey are due to compete in the RAF International where Alex Langley will step in for Norman.

In the Schools’ Meeting also being held this week, Victoria College’s Edward Voisin placed second in the Monday Aggregate and Sam Jauncy placed 12th in the Tuesday Aggregate.

Jersey Rifle Association team: Bruce Horwood, Mary Norman, Daniel Richardson, Michael Cotillard, Cliff Mallett, Colin Mallett, Sophie Ponter and Phil Amy.