League Report - Matches shot on the 4th October 2007

The standard of shooting has been very high this season, so it stood to reason that we would not have to wait too long for the first possible of the season. Last year it was November before we saw seven bulls and thirty five points but last Thursday (4 Oct) the honours went to Michelle Dale who shoots for the Binton A team. Michelle came close in her first match of this season scoring 34, but in the following two weeks, she seemed to be lacking concentration with scores of 30 then 32. However, there was no doubt about her marksmanship last Thursday
as she put away all seven shots at the Avenue Sports and Social Club in Stratford. Michelle also won the in-house Binton Challenge Prize with her performance.

Avenue-RBL vs Binton A:- Simon Dale shot first for the away team and got them off to a satisfactory start with 31 points. Dennis Ganderton was first up for the home team but he could not match his practice shots and ended on a disappointing 24 points. Michelle Dale shot next for Binton A and the room quietened as she took aim for the seventh time to score her possible. Paul Nixon Barron had the unenviable job of shooting next for Avenue-RBL with an unfamiliar rifle. His bull was followed by a four then two more bulls and two fours and a bull to
finish. He matched his personal best score of 32 and is currently standing third in the improvement tables. Michelle's score clearly encouraged her team mates to try to match her performance. Gary Hooper and Andy Smith both shot 33. Steve Everett and Jo Everett shot steady 31's but Avenue-RBL kept falling further behind in their scoring. Alan Dyer and John Parrot for Binton A both shot 31. Dee Green was last to shoot for the home team, who were unable to field a full team. She failed to match her last week's score of 30. With eight shooters, Neil Bragg who unfortunately slipped a three to score 29 and Neil Beningfield who shot 33 were last to shoot for Binton A. Avenue-RBL with the benefit of two A N Other scores of 28 finished on 202 points and Binton A dropped the lowest of their eight scores to finish on 227 points, the highest match score so far this season which kept them at the top of the League.

Home Guard vs Binton B:- Home Guard were able to provide eight shooters to Binton B's five in this match. Roy Clarke shot first for Binton B. He slipped a three and finished on 29 points. This score was matched by Jackie Mills for Home Guard. Mike Perry for Binton B, currently second in the improvement tables, shot four bulls and three fours to total 32 points. His score was matched by Richard Mills. Gordon O'nions 29 took Binton B into the lead by one point as Irene Parsons scored 28. Jim Usher (Binton B) shot a respectable 31 while Bill Gately (Home Guard) shot 29, increasing Binton B's lead by another two points. Ben Chamberlain, the final shooter for Binton B also shot 31. He was followed by Colin Fulford, current leader in the improvement table, who just missed out on a possible when his fourth shot slipped into the fours. His score of 34 evened the scores. Sam Goodman shot a steady 29. His brother Ben shot 28 and Steve Hodges who was last to shoot for Home Guard shot 33 points. Binton B who have had difficulty throughout the season fielding a full team, had the benefit of two A N Other scores of 28 and finished on 208 and Home Guard after discarding the lowest of their eight scores finished on 214 points.

Wilmcote vs Knights:- In this match, both teams were able to field eight shooters. Jon Packard shot first for the visitors and got a respectable 32 as did Andy Morris for the home team. Ruth Sampson-Dampier (Knights) shot one less than Lyn Brookes who is still getting used to her new Feinwerkbau rifle. Chris Green's score of 31 was matched by Gareth Morris. Wilmcote increased their lead as John Maycock out shot Doug Dampier by five points. Lisa Edwards (Knights) slipped a couple of threes to give her 27 points. Alan Brookes, (Wilmcote) also with a new Feinwerkbau rifle, scored 33 and his team increased their lead by another 6 points. Carl Rapson's 30 was matched by Tom Morris. Fran Westwood who has not found the same accuracy this season as last shot a disappointing 26. Tim Stephens (Wilmcote) avoided the threes to shoot 32, giving the home team an unassailable lead. Will Troth (Knights) shot 27 and Paul Boazman (Wilmcote) 30. Both teams dropped their lowest scores to arrive at an end result of 219 points for Wilmcote and 200 points for Knights. Wilmcote though third in the league have the highest league average with 219.5 points.


Matches for 11 October Binton A v Wilmcote: Knights v Binton B: MEB v Home Guard: Avenue-RBL have a bye.

The league is in need of new shooters and another team would be a welcome bonus. The Binton B team and Avenue-RBL are having particular difficulties. If you fancy air gun shooting, have a look at us on our website www.sagl.co.uk or why not contact the match secretary at sagmatchsec@ntlworld.com or ring Roy Clarke on 01789 720340.

The draw for the Whitbread Individual Competition was made at the recent Delegates meeting. The first round takes place on Tuesday 23 October and suggests some interesting matches:-

1       Mike Perry (Binton B) v Paul Clingan (MEB);

2       Gordon O'nions (Binton B) v Bill Gateley (Home Guard);
3       Ben Chamberlain (Binton B) v Terry Goodman (Home Guard);

4       Steve Hodges (Home Guard) v Jim Usher (Binton B);

5       Alan Brookes has a bye;

6       Will Troth (Knights) v Ben Goodman (Home Guard);

7       Carl Rapson (Knights) v Gary Hooper (Binton A);

8       Michelle Dale (Binton A) v Jon Packard (Knights);

9       Irene Parsons (Home Guard) v Andy Smith (Binton A);
10     Paul Boazman (Wilmcote) has a bye;

11     Colin Fulford (Home Guard) v Andy Morris (Wilmcote);

12      Lyn Brookes (Wilmcote) v John Parrott (Binton A);

13     Sam Goodman (Home Guard) has a bye;

14     Ray Warnock (MEB) v Simon Dale (Binton A);

15     John Maycock (Wilmcote) has a bye;

16     Richard Mills (Home Guard) v Jackie Mills (Home Guard).


Report by Juana Everett (to be published 11th October 2007)