Success on the range

It has been a fruitful day for the locals at the Melbourne International Shooting Club with success in the men’s 50-metre pistol pairs and women’s double trap final this afternoon.

Defending their title won in Manchester, Michael Diamond and Adam Vella proved too good in the men’s clay trap, connecting on 189 out of 200 targets over the four rounds, four more than silver medallists Canada.

Dual Olympic champion Diamond enhanced his status as one of the world’s premier shooters with two perfect rounds, while Vella was incredibly consistent in nailing 94 out of 100 targets.

Favourites Suzanne Balogh and Deserie Baynes took out the women’s trap pairs ahead of Canada and New Zealand in what was basically a three-team shootout. The Aussie pair hit 87 out of 100 targets, four more than the Canadian duo, with the Kiwis six shots further back. With only three teams entered into the event, no minor medals were awarded.

Earlier in the morning, Melbourne’s Daniel Repacholi and David Moore came from behind to capture the gold, storming home from third place halfway through the competition to win by four shots from India and England.

Amid the medal rush, there was bitter disappointment for the heavily-favoured Australians Lalita Yauhleuskaya and Pamela McKenzie in the women’s 25m pistol pairs. They had to settle for silver behind India and reigning Games champion Yauhleuskaya didn’t disguise her discontent, fleeing the range in tears and refusing to front up to the waiting media.

Also at the MISC, Australian twosome Sue McCready and Susannah Smith missed out on the placings in the women’s 10m air rifle pairs, four shots out of a bronze medal, as India again emerged victorious.

•  Have a view on this story? Send us your feedback!