Shot at two distances, 25 and 50 metres, the competition is run to international rules and closely mirrors the original Olympic Free Pistol matches of the late 19th century.
The event is shot with cap and ball revolvers with very primitive original fixed sights, and require a great deal of concentration if good scores are to be obtained.
Blake’s win was no easy one, as some fine competitive shooting by Island Games recordholder Radcliffe ensured that the match was taken to the last detail.
Mick Flynn took a well-deserved third place.The first 25m detail saw Blake, with 89, take a one point lead from Radcliffe.
Flynn was next up with 81, Clive Green was fourth on 74, four points clear of Francis Devonald on 70.Blake consolidated his lead in the second detail by top-scoring with a splendid 91, second were Radcliffe and Flynn with 82 while Devonald put in a 79 to overtake Green.At the half-way point, Blake led with 180 with Radcliffe ten points adrift.
Flynn was holding a strong third with 163, fourteen points clear of Devenold (149) and some consistent shooting from Clive Green saw him in fifth with 146.The first 50m detail saw Radcliffe shoot a superb 77 to take him to within one point of Blake (68); Flynn finished with a 60 to maintain third overall.Going into the final detail, Blake held a one point lead over Radcliffe with Flynn a strong third on 223, Devonald held fourth with 189 and Green had moved to 167, in fifth place.In the final 50m detail, Blake ensured victory with a score of 71, ahead of Radcliffe with 64 and Flynn, in third, with 45.
