inton
A win the L C Docker League Cup for the fourth consecutive time. In their final
match of the season, Binton A were unlucky not to maintain their exceptional run
of wins (9 wins from 9 matches) when this season's record of all wins was
tainted with a draw at Wilmcote, due to some inconsistent shooting. Never the
less they remain unbeaten and should be proud to retain the Cup. The record
being seven consecutive wins from the 1985/86 season to the 1991/92 season is
held by the team from Mason's Arms who now shoot as the Binton B team. In last week's match, Wilmcote took an early lead which they held onto by the skin of their teeth. After four shooters the scores were even at 155 points each. With only one three on the board, and no shooter scoring less than 30, Wilmcote amassed 245 points. Binton did not have a three on the board but they dropped a point and ended on 244 points. Both teams fielded eight shooters and therefore each side had to drop their lowest score. Wilmcote dropped 30 but Binton only had to drop 29 which meant the match ended in a draw. For Wilmcote, the highest scorer was Andy Morris with 32 then Lyn Brookes, John Maycock and Tim Stephens all scored 31 and Jon Packard, Brian Adshed, Alan Brookes and Paul Boazman scored 30. For Binton John Parrot scored 32, Andy Smith, Neil Bragg, Gary Hooper and Michelle Dale all shot 31, Will Cemis shot 30 and Neil Beningfield and Simon Dale both shot 29.
Home Guard were defeated by Avenue-RBL in another close scoring match. The visitors were not as accurate as last week with a smattering of threes but Home Guard also had their share of threes. Home Guard took an early lead after Richard Mills 32 and Joshua Bridge's personal best of 27 but this was pulled back by Avenue-RBL's new shooter Paul Seabury 30 and they edged in front with a 29 from Steve Everett and 31 from Paul Nixon-Barron. Home Guard took back the lead with scores of 28 from Irene Parsons, Bill Gately's 29 and an impressive seasonal best 34 from Steve Hodges. Peter Mole was unfortunate to score only 26 but Guy Ganderton did better with 31. The home team held onto the lead as Colin Fulford shot 32 and brothers Sam and Ben Goodman both shot 30 which gave the team a total of 240 points. Louise Price shot fours and bulls for 30 which left only Steve Ray. He started with a bull but his second pellet went into the four before the remainder went into the bull. His score of 34 also resulted in Avenue-RBL having a final score of 240 points. Both teams fielded eight shooters and therefore each side had to drop their lowest score. Home Guard dropped 27 to leave 213 but Avenue-RBL only had to drop 26 which gave them 214 so the visitors took the match by just one point.
Binton B had difficulty fielding a team for their match against MEB. Mike Perry kept out of the threes and hit five bulls for 33, Bill Fleming shot four bulls for 31, Gordon O'nions started well but after two bulls, ended on threes for 28, Roy Clarke with only one bull score 27 and Brian Portman who has not been shooting recently because he is presently without his own gun could only muster 26. With two A N Other scores, they totalled 201 points. MEB on the other hand had eight shooters. Paul Clingan missed out on a possible with 34, Karl McMillan did well with 32, Jan Beattie and Kath Williams both scored 31, Alison McMillan, Ray Hodgkins and Richard Groom all shot 30 and Gordon Spencer's score ended up being scratched. MEB won with 218 points to give them the second place in the league and the Ritchins Cup.
The Christmas Shoot with open sighted air rifles will take place tonight at Wilmcote Sports & Social Club. Shooting will continue in the New Year with matches between Avenue-RBL and Binton B; Binton A and Home Guard and Wilmcote and MEB in the first week of the Webley Shield Competitions on 7 January 2010.