THE Truman Trophy for the final of the 'champion of champions' prone rifle competition was presented by Truman's Brewery in 1969 with the condition that the competition was always held in Okehampton.

This annual competition is now run by Bernard and Yvonne Rendle of the Okehampton Smallbore Club.

The top two prone shooters from every smallbore rifle club in Devon can take part; each shoots three cards of ten targets on their home range. The best 16 in the county qualify for the 'champion of champions' final and shoot three more cards 'shoulder to shoulder'; the competition continues on a 'knock-out' basis until the last top two shoot for the trophy. This year it was won by Lindsay Agates of Pinhoe Club.

Paul Batten and Di Johnson, Okehampton Smallbore Club's top shooters, both qualified for the final, to compete against strong opposition. Paul did extremely well to go through to the second round, narrowly missing going further.

Amanda Elliot, a spokesperson for the club, said: 'It is a highly pressurised atmosphere making it very challenging to shoot consistently well over so many rounds.

'OSC would like to thank all clubs who participated and the OSC members for their help with hosting the finals.'