Richard Benest had an excellent weekend, topping the table in both team and individual events.
In the inter-insular competition for the Lieut-Governors’ Cup shot on the Fort Le Marchant range in Guernsey on the Saturday the Jersey Rifle Association shooters produced their highest ever match score, an impressive 1190.150 points, a full ten ahead of the Sarnians who finished on 1180.149.
Benest’s total score was 150.21, with Cliff Mallett on 150.16 – and no fewer than 15 possibles in the Jersey card.
Although Jersey had a mere two-point lead after the 300-yard section, which increased to three after 500 yards, Guernsey’s near legendary abilities over 600 yards failed to materialise and they dropped 11 points to Jersey’s two, with Mary Norman top-scoring over 600 yd with 50.9.
Guernsey’s top-shot was Phil Ogier with a total 150.18 Team captain Colin Mallett, who coached with Alex Langley, said afterwards: ‘It was a fantastic achievement, especially since several of the top-shots weren’t available and more than half the two teams were veterans.’ The CI championship final was at Les Landes in Jersey on the Sunday, and Benest was one point ahead of Graeme Harris and Guernsey’s Debbie Thompson as they went into the competition.
Shooting over 900 yards Harris led by one point, but after the 1,000 yard section it was Benest who pipped Guernsey’s Peter Jory by two points, with a record score of 298.38, Harris dropped away in the last session and finished fifth overall, with Colin Mallett fourth.
