here
was a late start to the second half of the shooting season due to the bad
weather conditions which prevailed on 7 January. The Webley Competition got
under way (just) on 14 January when the Wilmcote team travelled to Binton to
shoot against Binton's B team. Andy Morris started the night's shooting with a four but he went on to shoot six bulls, just failing to get a possible. Lyn Brookes gave a season best of 32 and hubby Alan, shot 31. Veteran shooter John Maycock shot bulls and fours for 32. Tim Stephens and Sheila Clarke also kept out of the threes for scores of 30 each. Paul Boazman was last to shoot and unfortunately got the only three on the target amongst the Wilmcote team and had to settle for 29 points. Wilmcote's total score of 218 was 4 above their league average. For Binton B, who are still shooting without their captain, Rob Johnson, Bill Fleming was first up. He shot a bull, two fours and then four bulls for a satisfying 33 points. Mike Perry started with a three but went on to shoot fours and two bulls for 29. Roy Clarke gave his best performance this season with 31, three above his personal average. Gordon O'nions shot a steady string of fours for 28. New shooter L Downs had mixed fortunes for although there were two bulls the final score was 27. Alan Watts shot fours and bulls for 32 and finally Ben Chamberlain shot scoring 29 as one of his pellets went into the three. This gave the team a total of 209 which was 4 above their league average. Wilmcote's handicap of 9 points meant the match ended in a draw 218 points each.
Avenue-RBL and Binton A captains decided on Wednesday that the threat of icy conditions on Thursday did not warrant team members travelling from as far a field as Evesham and Coventry and postponed their match. It is not clear whether the match between MEB and Home Guard took place.
The draw for the first round of the Thompson Knockout Cup gave bye matches to Avenue-RBL and MEB; Binton A will shoot against Wilmcote and Home Guard will meet Binton B with the matches to be shot on 21 January. Monday 25 January sees the second leg of the Avon Challenge. The same shooters will represent Stratford as shot in the first leg at Evesham - Will Cemis, Paul Clingan, Simon and Michelle Dale, Colin Fulford, Richard Groom, Andy Morris and Andy Smith.