During the period 1874-1880 there was a series of international long range match rifle competitions. This was initiated by Ireland in challenging the United States to a competition in 1874. Although leading English riflemen were never generally supportive of a seperate England team in matches against foreign nations, they were represented in a Great Britain team to compete for the Centennial Trophy (later 'Palma Trophy') in 1877. An unofficial United States team also competed against a Great Britain captained by Sir Henry Halford in 1880.