Thompson Cup Semi Finals Report - Matches shot on the 20th March 2008

The semi final matches in the Thompson Knockout Cup took place on Thursday 20 March when Wilmcote shot against MEB and Home Guard shot against Binton A. All four teams fielded eight shooters. Knights' Will Troth was volunteered to be the neutral marker for the semi final and he did a sterling job.

In the first match Paul Clingan started well with 34pts for MEB which was followed by Ray Warnock and Jan Beattie who both shot 31 then Kath Williams who shot 30. The first four shooters for Wilmcote did equally well as Gareth Morris and Tom Morris shot 31pts each and John Maycock with 30pts before Andy Morris took his place at the mark to shoot yet another possible – his fourth in eight days – an unequalled record, to put Wilmcote in the lead by one point at the half way stage of the match. Sheila Clarke shot 29, Ray Hodgkins 30, Fred Williams 31 and Gordon Spencer 28 brought MEB’s total to 244pts. For Wilmcote, Alan Brookes shot 30, Tim Stephens 26, Trev Skinner 28 and Paul Boazman 29 which brought their total to 240pts. The lowest score from each side was dropped which left MEB the winners with 216pts to Wilmcote’s 214pts.

In the second match Andy Smith was first up for Binton A and with six bulls and a four shot 34, a personal best this season. He was followed by Simon and Michelle Dale who both shot 32 then Gary Hooper with 30. For Home Guard, Richard Mills shot 29 and his wife Jackie shot 30. Irene Parson’s slipped into the three’s for 26 followed by Bill Gately who even with a three shot 30. At the half way stage Binton had a comfortable lead of 13pts. John Parrott was the only member of Binton to shoot a three but with 3 bulls managed to pull his score up to 30pts. Neil Bragg also shot 30, Alan Dyer and Neil Beningfield both shot 31 to bring Binton's’ total to 250. For Home Guard, Steve Hodges shot 31, Ben Goodman had 3 threes and a bull for 26, Derek Powers 29 and Colin Fulford topped the Home Guard scores with 33 which brought his team’s total to 234. After dropping the lowest scores, Binton won through to meet MEB in the final which will be held on 17 April.

This week (27 March) the teams return to the Webley Competition when Binton A meet the Home Guard (again); MEB shoot against Binton B; Avenue-RBL are at home to Wilmcote and the Knights team have a bye.


Report by Juana Everett (to be published 27th March 2008)