Pairs Competition Finals, shot on the 3rd April 2008

The Pairs Competition was shot from the second round to its conclusion last Thursday at Wilmcote Sports & Social Club. Will Troth having done such a good job as neutral marker in the Thompson was a willing volunteer to paint and mark this competition - or was he just in the right place at the wrong time?

In the first of the second round matches current holders of the trophy, Paul Clingan and Ray Warnock both shot a four and four bulls for 48.5pts which knocked Dave Cross and Ray Hodgkins out: Simon & Michelle Dale had four clean bulls and fours for 44.4pts narrowly beating Gary Hooper and John Parrot who shot 43.2pts: Tom & Andy Morris shot seven bulls and fours for 47.5pts which was too accurate for Jackie & Richard Mills. Sheila Clarke and Jan Beattie did not attend as they found they would not be able to make the later date for the semi and final rounds of the competition. As it turned out the competition was shot to the end so they missed out on their opportunity. Alan Brookes and Tim Stephens had a bye when their opponents were unable to participate due to Lyn Brookes recent poor health: Irene Parsons and Colin Fulford knocked Ruth Dampier and Fran Westwood out of the competition by two clean bulls against two dirty bulls: Mark Oakey and Andy Smith got a bye into the quarter final when Rob Johnson was unable to shoot with his partner Roy Clarke: Neil Beningfield and Alan Dyer popped in four bulls to secure their place in the next round against Steve & Jo Everett's three bulls.

In the first of the quarter final matches Paul Clingan and Ray Warnock shot only four bulls between them when they met Simon & Michelle Dale. It was not enough to beat Simon Dale who shot a mini possible (five bulls from five shots) and Michelle Dale who shot 24.2pts. Tom and Andy Morris got a bye into the semi final. In the third quarter final match between Alan Brookes & Tim Stephens and Irene Parsons & Colin Fulford both pairs shot three clean bulls but with a three Irene and Colin were beaten by just one point. Mark Oakey and Andy Smith who between them shot two clean bulls and fours for 42.2pts came up against Binton team mates Neil Beningfield and Alan Dyer who managed three clean bulls and fours to secure their place in the semi finals.

The semi final and final matches reverted to the normal seven shots. Tom Morris shot first to score 31.2; Simon Dale shot 31.3 leaving the pressure on their partners. Andy Morris continued his run of success with yet another possible including three clean bulls to total 66.5pts. Michelle Dale therefore needed a possible too if she and Simon were to stay in the competition. Unfortunately Michelle found a four with her first shot and so with no hope of matching Andy's possible, chose to retire gracefully from the match. In the second semi final match, Alan Brookes and Tim Stephens struggled to find the bull and with only one clean bull each totalled 58.2pts. Neil Beningfield had better luck with three clean bulls for 31.3 and Alan Dyer found the bull once but also shot a three for 28.1pts but it was enough to see them into the final against Tom and Andy Morris.

Neil Beningfield took to the mark again and shooting consistently shot three clean bulls for the fourth time that night for 31.3pts. Tom Morris did rather better with five bulls, only one of which was dirty and fours for 33.4pts. Alan Dyer shot two clean bulls and fours to bring their total score to 61.5pts. Andy Morris took his place on the mark and shot a four but then went on to shoot six clean bulls one after the other to clinch the match with 68pts. Last year's runners up became the winners.

Webley matches tonight (10 April) - Binton B v Knights; Avenue-RBL v Home Guard; Wilmcote v Binton A and MEB have a bye.

Report by Juana Everett (to be published 10th April 2008)