James Galea Jr emerged as the overall winner of the fourth stage of the MSSF Trap Competition 50+50+25 (T4), held on Sunday.

Galea produced an impressive performance in challenging conditions, hitting 117 of 125 targets to secure victory and also achieve the Malta Shooting Sport Federation’s minimum qualifying score (MQS).

Nico Sciberras finished runner-up with 114/125, while Emmanuel Bugeja completed the podium after registering 111/125.

High temperatures provided an additional challenge for the competitors throughout a demanding competition which was contested over three stages.

All participants initially shot at 50 targets, with the leading 12 progressing to the second stage.

Brian Galea and James Galea Jr shared the lead at that point after both registered 47/50, followed by Bugeja on 46 and Sciberras on 45.

Rennie Deguara qualified with 44, followed by Luke Cassar and Ryan Bugeja on 42, Shazen Grech and Gordon Caruana on 41, Abiel Cassar on 40 and Leetov Bonnici on 39. Jonathan Vassallo secured the final qualifying position following a shoot-off after registering 38/50.

The remaining 12 shooters then contested another 50 targets, after which only the leading six progressed to the final 25.

James Galea Jr moved into sole possession of first place after 100 targets with a score of 93/100, two ahead of Sciberras on 91.

Brian Galea was third on 89, followed by Emmanuel Bugeja on 86 and Grech on 85. Caruana secured the sixth and final qualifying position following a shoot-off against Deguara after both had finished on 84/100.

Galea Jr maintained his advantage over the final 25 targets, adding another 24 hits to finish with an overall score of 117/125.

Sciberras remained his closest challenger on 114, with Emmanuel Bugeja climbing into third place on 111.

Brian Galea finished fourth with 110/125, followed by Caruana on 107 and Grech on 104.

In the individual class standings over the opening 50 targets, Brian Galea headed Class A on 47/50, level with James Galea Jr and ahead of Sciberras on 45.

Nazzareno Attard topped Class B with 43/50, followed by Luke Cassar on 42 and Grech on 41.

Jonathan Vassallo led Class C with 38/50, ahead of Ryan Cini, also on 38, and Jeremy Vassallo on 33.

The next trap event on the calendar is the second QCSC Competition, which will be held at the Qormi Clay Shooting Club on September 6.