15th March 2007 - Senior Shield, Ladies Cup, Youth Cup

There were three competitions held at the Home Guard Club, Tiddington last Thursday, which were very well supported by members but unfortunately, the level of support meant it turned out to be a late night for some with the shooting finishing very late. The Youth Cup for members aged 21 or under - five of the six eligible shooters entered this competition which was good news given that last year it was not possible to run  the competition due to an insufficient number of entrants. Competitors shot in alphabetical order each shooting five pellets at targets 1 and 5. A clean bull counted as 5.1pts.

Dennis Ganderton got off to a very shaky start with his first five pellets but settled down to score 30.1pts overall. Sam Goodman, runner up in the recent Norman Dale Cup shot steadily to score 22 on target 1 and 22.2 on target 3. Tom Morris shot 3 bulls on target 1 and was well placed after his first five pellets with 23.1pts as was Carl Rapson, recent winner of Norman Dale Cup, who matched Tom's scoring. Gareth Morris  only missed one bull on target 1 and after his first five pellets was leading the competition with 24.2pts. His next five pellets were not quite as accurate and with three bulls and two 4's he finished on 47.2pts. Carl Rapson held his nerve against Tom Morris. He started and ended his second five pellets with clean bulls to give him 22.2 on target 3 and an overall score in the competition of 45.3pts. Tom shot well, starting with a clean bull, then three fours. Whether he was runner up or third depended on his last shot. He shot a bull which gave Carl Rapson second place and the Youth Cup will be awarded to Gareth Morris on Presentation Night.

In the ladies competition for the Suzanne Storm Rose Bowl eight entrants who also shot five pellets on target 1 then another five on target 3. After the first five pellets, Michelle Dale was in the lead with 25.1pts having scored a "mini" possible, five bulls from five shots. Lin Brookes was in second place with 24.2pts. Kath Williams, the current holder of the Rose Bowl, and team mate Sheila Clarke were in joint third place with 23.1pts. Other entrants' scores were close on their heels with scores of 21, 22.1 and 22.2pts. Unfortunately Jan Beattie had two stray threes from her second five shots which put her out of the competition. Jackie Mills and Irene Parsons also went out of with scores of 42.1 and 43.1 respectively. Kath Williams had a good second five and  scored 45.1 overall which kept her in with a chance of retaining the Ladies Title. It was getting late when Lin Brookes took up her position at target 3 and she just could not find the accuracy she is capable of. She ended with a score of 44.2 overall. Sheila Clarke shot three bulls and two fours to score 46.2pts which gave her second place. Michelle Dale only missed the bull once in her ten shots and became a worthy champion with 49.4pts out of a possible 51pts.

Twenty shooters entered for the Seniors' Shield. By and large, shots were taken first on target 3 then on target 1. The bell target was ringing consistently with all but four shooters getting at least one bull from their first five shots. For a good part of the evening, Paul Clingan held the lead with his score of 24.1 until Steve Ray, the current  holder of the Shield shot a mini possible including one clean bull. Due to the lateness of the evening, a number of shooters withdrew after their first five shots feeling either that they had little chance of success or that it was getting too late to shoot. Of those who remained, Alan Brookes shot 22.1 and 23.2; Ray Warnock, who was in joint second
place last year, shot 22 and 24.3 which coincidentally was the same as his total score last year; Paul Clingan shot 24.1 and 23.2; Andy Morris who shared the runner up place last year scored 23.1 and a mini possible 25.2 bettering his score last year by 2 points. John Maycock, a newcomer to our league but with experience in the Solihull League shot 23.1 on both targets but with 3 points added because of his seniority ended with 49.2pts and second place. Steve Ray was the last individual to shoot. Taking into account John Maycock's score, he was under pressure not to make any mistakes if he was to retain his title. He needed 24.2 to win. He started well with three clean bulls and 15.3pts but his next shot was a four, taking him to 19.3pts. He needed one more bull to win and he got it to finish just 0.2pts ahead of John on 49.4pts.

It was a very enjoyable night's shooting with some excellent shooting from competitors to all three competitions even though it went on until very late. Consideration is being given to having three targets next year and or holding the three competitions on two different nights instead of on the same night. It is very important we maintain the level
of interest shown by members in these competitions and we do not want to lose your support next year.

League teams will compete in the first round of the Thompson Knock Out Cup tonight (22 March) for details of the draw see our website www.sagl.co.uk .

The first round of the Four-A- Side Competition will be held on 29 March. The draw is: -

Binton A vs Binton C;

Home Guard A has a bye;

Home Guard B vs Wilmcote B;

Wilmcote A have a bye;

MEB B vs Avenue SSC A;

Avenue SSC B MEB A:

Binton B all have byes.

The Air Gun League is organising a charity quiz night including "free" food, to raise funds for the Air Ambulance this Saturday 24 March at Wilmcote Club. Entry fee will only be £2 per person. Please phone Sheila Clarke 01789 720340 to reserve a table for your team. Non shooters welcome.