A COUNT-OUT on central V bullseyes gave victory to Guernsey’s Nick Mace (pictured) in the Open Championship of the City Rifle Club’s autumn meeting at Bisley.

Two days of shooting mirrored the three-stage conditions of the Imperial Meeting’s Queen’s Prize and the battle for honours quickly became a tussle between two Channel Islanders, Mace and Jersey’s Daniel Richardson, one of the Caesareans’ Commonwealth Games competitors.

In Stage I over 300, 500 and 600 yards, Mace did not leave the bullseye, winning the shoot with a maximum score plus 16 shots through the inner ‘V’ ring. In Stage II, it was Richardson’s turn to register a perfect gun score of 150 ex 150 with Mace a point behind.

Although Richardson was ahead at 1,000 yards in Stage III, it was not enough to overtake Mace.

The City Meeting was the final opportunity for Adam and Peter Jory, Guernsey’s full-bore Commonwealth Games shooters, to take part in long-range competitions ahead of Delhi.

Although the Jory brothers did not make the winners’ boards, their scores were well in the comfort zone.