Thompson Cup Report - Matches shot on the 17th January 2008

The first round of the Thompson Knockout Cup took place last Thursday when Wilmcote were at home to Binton B. MEB shot against Knights and Avenue-RBL were hosts to Home Guard. Binton A had a bye. There was some very good shooting from the winning teams, each scoring more than 210pts.

At the Avenue Sports & Social Club Jackie and Richard Mills (HG) and Jo Everett (Avenue) all shot a steady 29. Irene Parsons, shooting with her new specs on, shot a personal best of 30 to take Home Guard into a 6pt lead over the home team after Avenue's captain had a poor round. The middle ranks for both teams shot well with nobody scoring less than 30. Sam Goodman and Steve Hodges (for HG) and Steve Ray (Avenue) all shot 32pts. Avenue still with too few shooters, had to rely on two A N Other scores of 28 which was well below Home Guard shooters actual scores giving them no chance of winning the match. Avenue with 202 were knocked out of the competition by Home Guard's 214 pts which was 7pts above their average.

MEB fielded a full side in their match against Knights. Neither team shot as well as they can do but Paul Clingan did get MEB off to a good start with 33 followed by Ray Warnock's 32. Doug Dampier could not match MEB's accuracy and Ruth Dampier had problems when she started with two threes. Luckily she pulled them out of the fire with three bulls to score a more respectable 29. MEB ladies each shot steady 29's but the Knights middle ranks were less consistent with scores of 28, 27 and 30 which meant that the match slipped further away from Knights. Fred Williams, anchor man for MEB shot 31 and Gordon Spencer shot a string of fours. Lisa Edwards unfortunately showed none of the skill which took her to the quarter finals of the Norman Dale Cup last week shooting only threes and fours. Fran Westwood, anchorwoman for Knights managed just a single bull but followed it with a three for a disappointing 28pts. Knights 195pts were vanquished by MEB's 212pts.

Wilmcote turned out to field a full team against Binton B who disappointingly could only field four shooters, nevertheless shooting went ahead. Wilmcote's Alan Brookes shot a four to start but followed it with six bulls to score 34. Andy Morris shot 33; Tom Morris and Tim Stephens shot 32; Paul Boazman finished his spell at the target with three bulls and 30pts. Lyn Brookes and John Maycock shot 29. Had the match counted their score would have been 219. In contrast, Binton B struggled to hit the bull. Roy Clarke shot 29; Bill Fleming 30, Brian Portman 28 and Gordon O'nions 29. Wilmcote go through to the next round as Binton B conceded the match.

Matches for 24 Jan are Binton A vs Avenue-RBL; Home Guard vs Binton B; Knights vs MEB; Wilmcote have a bye.

The following Thursday sees the start of the four aside competition. Binton A second team have a first round bye and will shoot in round two against the winner of the Home Guard B vs Knights B match; The winner of the match between Wilmcote B and Knights A will meet Avenue-RBL in the second round as Avenue-RBL have a first round bye; The winner of the match between MEB B and Binton B will meet the MEB A team in the second round as they have a first round bye; The winner of the match between Wilmcote A and Binton A first team will meet Home Guard A in the second round as Home Guard A have a first round bye.



Report by Juana Everett (to be published 24th January 2008)