THE first of three stages for the Guernsey Rifle Club Championship comprised two sighting shots and seven shots to count at 300, 500 and 600 yards at the Fort Le Marchant range.

All the current top shots lined up for the prestigious competition, but when the results were totalled it was Elizabeth College student Jon Branch who emerged as the winner of the Bronze Medal stringing together a 35.04, 35.06 and 35.04 for a total of 105.14 ex 105.21, just one V-bull ahead of older brother Nick.

This was a superb result, but not altogether unexpected as Jon had shot brilliantly at Bisley, culminating in him gaining a place in the Queen’s Final.

Peter Jory claimed third spot on 104.14 just three V-bulls ahead of Phil Ogier and, with a further 60 shots before the championship is decided, few would write off the chances of either of these experienced marksmen.

However, Branch’s championship stage win was his first open class triumph and fully justified the committee decision to re-grade him as A class for the second half of the season.

Branch’s rise to the top echelons strengthens the local club enormously and it is becoming increasingly obvious that places in the island team will be hard-fought in the future.

For years Guernsey have envied the strength in depth of their Jersey counterparts, but Sarnian successes both in the islands and at Bisley this year give optimism that the tide is finally turning in their favour.

It is interesting to note that Guernsey now have four pairs of brothers, all ex-Elizabeth College, who are all at or near the top of the ratings.