Guyana retain short range shooting title

May 18, 2009 Sports

– Team captain elated

The Guyana Rifle Shooting Association (GNRA) team to the West Indies Fullbore championship staged at Tucker Valley ranges in Trinidad and Tobago successfully defended their short range title.

Mahendra Persaud

Guyana amassed 1139 points with 105 V-bulls to keep the title ahead of key rivals Trinidad and Tobago, who finished second with 1134 and 99 V-bulls following a fierce battle over the 300, 500 and 600 yards ranges.

The Guyanese exacted sweet revenge in the process after losing by just one point to the Trinidadians the last time the team match was hosted in the Twin Island Republic.

Jamaica occupied the third position with 1134 points and 85 V-bulls with Antigua/Barbuda finishing fourth on 1075 with 78 V-bulls and Barbados in the cellar on 1066 points with 73 V-bulls.

Captain Mahendra Persaud expressed joy at his team retaining the prestigious West Indies Fullbore short range team title. He noted that he was very proud at the result and the team effort put in. The conditions were described as difficult with changing winds along with poor light at times. The Guyanese however soldiered on to protect their crown.

Leading regional marksman Ransford Goodluck led Guyana’s charge with 147 points with 20 V-bulls. He shot 49 points with 5 V-bulls at 300 yards, 49.7 at 500 and 49.8 at 600 yards.

Dylan Fields shot 146.18 with 49.7, 50.7 and 47.4 followed by Persaud 145.13 with 48.5, 49.3 and 48.5, US–based John Fraser 144.10 with 46.3, 49.4 and 49.3, Ryan Sampson 142-11 with 48.5, 48.4, 46.2, Dane Blair 140.10 with 47.4, 47.3, 46.3, Richard Fields 139.18 with 45.3, 50.9, 44.6 and Claude Duguid 136.05 with 46.1, 45.1, 45.3 at the individual ranges.

The event started last Tuesday, but the organisers encountered ammunition hiccups and were forced to reschedule some of the events including the Individual competition which should have opened the championships.

Guyana also hold the regional long range title which was won in Jamaica last year. Only the short range championship was contested this year due to Trinidad not possessing the longer ranges (900 and 1000 yards). The team returns home today.