Port St. Mary maintained their winning streak in week five of the Isle of Man Rifle Association’s Winter League, beating Douglas 484–477 at home. Ben Kelly, Ashley Gardner and Les Crowe each recorded 98 for the hosts, a score matched by Douglas’s top shot, Sam Jones.

Castletown’s scores continued to improve as they beat Laxey 482–477 at Malew Road. With two separate ranges at their disposal, the hosts were able to stage the match using both traditional ten-spot paper cards and electronic targets.

Club stalwart Steve Gardner was the match’s top gun, chalking up 98 on paper, with teammate Robin McFee close behind on 97. Adrian Cowin, John Wood and Harry Creevy each posted 97 for Laxey.

At the Sinclair Range, Sulby picked up a 479–447 away win over Sandsiders. Jean Quaye topped the hosts’ score sheet with an excellent 98, while Sulby captain Mark Cain posted the league’s highest score of the night with 99.

The Sinclair Range uses Swiss-made SIUS single-spot electronic targets, which show shooters immediately where each shot landed. The system scores each shot to a tenth of a point, with 10.9 the highest possible reading for a dead-centre bull.

Cain finished one point short of a perfect 100 and explained how a single click of his rifle sights had made the difference. 

“I should have had a ton,” Cain said. “I had two 10.1s low, so I moved it a click up and got a 9.9 high, so I moved it back and got the rest.”