MEB vs Binton A - Once more Paul Clingan demonstrated his marksmanship with another possible which takes his tally this season in all competitions to seven.  He led his team to victory over league winners Binton A who it has to be said did not shoot as accurately as they are able.  Andy Smith had the highest score for Binton A with 33.  Will  Cemis, Simon Dale, Neil Beningfield, John Parrott and Gary Hooper all shot 30 points.  Michelle Dale had difficulty finding the bull and was only able to find it once for a score of 29, her lowest this season. Neil Bragg slipped one of his pellets into the three which left him with 28 which in the event was scratched as both teams were able to field eight players and so had to drop their lowest score. Binton finished on 212 points, their lowest score this season.  For MEB, Fred Williams started with a four but then went on to shoot six bulls just missing out on a possible.  Karl McMillan shot fours and bulls for 31. Jan Beattie shot 30 and the other ladies of the team shot 29.  Gordon Spencer had a smattering of threes but ended on a bull for 26.  Ray Hodgkins also had a smattering of threes and it was his score which was scratched. MEB ended on 214 which meant they did not need the Binton handicap of 6 to win the match.

Avenue-RBL vs Wilmcote - Andy Morris was first to the target for the visiting team.  His fourth pellet unfortunately going into the four meant he just missed out on a possible.  Alan Brookes shot bulls and fours for 32. John Maycock, the only member of Wilmcote who does not use a Feinwerkbau rifle shot below par scoring 31 as did Brian Adshead. Sheila Clarke did a steady 30 and Tim Stephens shot 29.  Though Paul Boazman started with a bull he could not maintain this and his score, the lowest of Wilmcote's eight shooters ended up being scratched.  The team finished on 214 points.  Jo Everett shot first for the home team but was disappointed when she started with two threes which she struggled to balance out with bulls.  The team even with seven bonus points, Wilmcote's handicap, struggled to keep up and slowly saw the match slip away from them.  Steve Everett's 32 was well above this season's average.  Dee Green showed significant improvement over her score last week. Paul Seabury, Paul Nixon-Barron and Guy Ganderton all shot at par.  Steve Ray was disappointed with two fours which gave him 33. Avenue-RBL  lost the match by three points.

Binton B vs Home Guard - both teams struggled to field the required number of shooters.  Richard Mills returned to the Home Guard  team but they only had five shooters.  On the other hand Binton B could only find four shooters so they had to forfeit the match.  Nevertheless, shooting went ahead with the Home Guard team off first.  Derek Powers shot 30 a seasonal best for him.  Jackie Mills and Steve Hodges also shot 30, Richard Mills shot 29 and Irene Parsons shot below average.  With two A N Other scores of 28 the team ended on 201 points.  Binton B fared a little better with Bill Fleming and Gordon O'nions scoring 31.  Mike Perry and Roy Clarke both shot 30 points.

Matches tonight, Thursday 25th February include the Thompson Cup re-match between Wilmcote and Binton A;  the match cancelled from 7 January between Avenue-RBL v Binton B and the match between MEB and Home Guard which will be shot at the Home Guard Club at Tiddington. A service will be held at Oakley Wood (North Chapel) tomorrow, Friday at 10.45am for Max Hall who commenced air rifle shooting following his demob from the Army in the early 1950's. He was a stalwart of the Home Guard team and was for a goodly number of years its Captain.  Max along with some of the other team members helped with the building of the present Home Guard Club at Tiddington.  During his shooting career he was a member of teams which won the League, the Webley league, the Four A-Side and the Pairs Cups. He also won the Presidents Cup and the Senior Shield in his own right. He was also in the team that had the League's highest score ever of 242 points back in 1983. When he hung up his rifle, he maintained an active interest in the sport, often attending Home Guard's matches to paint and check.  He was appointed a Life Vice President of the Air Gun League in 1991, for being instrumental in keeping the Home Guard team going and in recognition of his services to shooting in general and for his long service as Captain of the Home Guard team.


Report by Juana Everett, to be published on 25th February 2010