RANSFORD Goodluck held on to a slim one-point lead at ‘X’ Class at the end of the first day of competition in the National Rifle-Shooting championships at the Timehri Rifle Ranges on Sunday.The former national champion had a first-day aggregate of 132 points with 12 V-bulls, one point ahead of defending champion Lennox Braithwaite, who recorded 131 with 12 V-bulls following competition at the 300, 500 and 900 yards ranges.
Goodluck recorded 33 points with one V from a possible 35 points at 300 yards and returned to shot a possible 50 points with seven Vs at 500 yards and dropped just one point to record 49 points with four Vs at 900 yards.
Braithwaite also shot a possible 50 points at 500 yards but recorded scores of 34-2 and 47-5 at 300 and 900 yards respectively.
National vice-captain Dylan Fields was in third position with 127 points and six Vs with individual scores of 33-1, 47-4 and 47-1 at the three ranges.
Ryan Sampson had an overall score of 124 points with eight Vs with scores of 31-2, 47-3 and 46-3.
Lt. Col Retired Terry Stuart shot 123 with five Vs recording scores of 31-0, 48-3 and 44-2 while Peter Persaud was one point behind with 122 with nine Vs. He shot 30-1, 48-4 and 44-4.
Sherwin Felicien recorded 121 with 4 Vs with scores of 30-0, 49-3 and 42-1.
National captain Mahendra Persaud and leading ‘O’ Class shooter Leo Romalho did not compete on the first day due to illness but are likely to participate this weekend. The competitors battled very humid conditions with subtle changes in the winds.
Roberto Tewari and Gordon Richards who are competing in the Tryo Class (Beginners) shot only two ranges.
Tewari recorded 70 points with two Vs while Richards secured 64 with one V.
The championships will continue on Saturday with shooting at the 500, 600 and 900 yards ranges starting at 10:00hrs while the final day of competition will be Sunday starting at the same time.