GEORGETOWN, Guyana, October 14, 2012 - Local rifle shooters turned in a remarkable display of precision shooting to defeat their Caribbean counterparts, in the process regaining the prestigious Milex Cup from Jamaica when activities in the Long Range Team Match of the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships concluded at the Timehri ranges, last evening.
They amassed 754 points and 51 V Bulls, while Trinidad and Tobago finished in the second place with an overall total of 715 points and 43 V Bulls. Defending champions, Jamaica were relegated to the third place after scoring 701 points with 32 V Bulls, while Antigua and Barbuda finished 4th with 695 points and 35 V Bulls. Barbados was 5th with 676 points and 32 V Bulls while Bermuda finished in the cellar after scoring 230 points with 5 V Bulls.
The Guyanese were in full flow and carted off the Lion’s share of the awards with Lennox Braithwaite, who had earlier claimed the honours in the Individual Shooting segment, turning in a flawless performance, scoring 100 points with 11 V Bulls to lead the local shooters to championship honours.
Fullbore Captain, Mahendra Persaud finished with 98 points and 8 V Bulls, while Dylan Fields registered a similar amount of points as Persaud but with 4 V Bulls. Ryan Sampson also finished with remarkable figures after scoring 96 points with 8 V Bulls while veteran marksman, Ransford Goodluck, scored 96 points with 5 V Bulls.
The shooters competed for the Milex Cup on two ranges, both over 900 yards. Initially, they were down to contest on the 900 and 1000 yards ranges but after the Jamaicans lodged a complaint of inconsistencies on the bank of the latter range, the organizers were forced to abort and opted for the two 900 yards event.
Other than their duties with the gun, four of the marksmen, former Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Slow, Braithwaite, Goodluck and Persaud, doubled as wind coaches. The local shooters had earlier pointed out the severe challenges associated with strong winds which skewed some of their shots. The Guyanese experienced some good fortunes after steady showers just after the lunch sessions, which had initially threatened to halt the proceedings, abated at around 15:00hrs and brought favourable winds which presented more amicable conditions. “We were greeted with favourable winds at the start of the shoot but as time progressed conditions became trickier when the winds rebounded on the trees to the south of the range,” explained Braithwaite.
He said that he had to resort to his vast experience and skillfully readjusted the sights. His colleagues also benefited from his expertise as he also doubled as wind coach.
Meanwhile, Braithwaite’s performance did not go unnoticed and owner of the Milex Security Company and sponsor of this segment of the tournament, Jamaican, Major John Nelson, lauded his good showing even as he commended the Guyanese contingent for their remarkable display.
Mr. Nelson pointed out that the Guyanese performance was of an exceptionally high standard and would earn kudos at most of the major world events. He also said that Braithwaite’s performance has inspired him to put up a special award for the best shooter within the team championships. The award would be made available shortly and would be deemed retroactive to facilitate the just concluded championships.
The teams return to the ranges this morning to contest the Short Range Team matches on the 300, 500 and 600 yards ranges. Activities get underway at 10:00hrs and once again the locals are exuding confidence of carting off the spoils. The curtains would be drawn at around 14:30hrs until 19:00hrs tonight when the teams congregate at the GDF Officers’ Mess for the presentation ceremony.
Guyana News