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Webley League Competition continued last week with round three. Avenue-RBL,
currently top of the league, were at home to MEB who were without seasoned
shooters Kath and Fred Williams. Avenue-RBL took an early lead which Sheila
Clarke wiped out when she shot 33, a seasonal best. However, Avenue-RBL
recovered the lead and consolidated their position through to the end of the
match when Steve Ray shot his second possible in this competition to secure
victory for the home team. MEB shot below par with stray threes from all but
Sheila Clarke. Karl McMillan was shooting for the first time with a recently
acquired Anschutz LG380 which perhaps explains his inconsistent scoring but he
still managed 29 as did team captain Gordon Spencer. Jan Beattie shot all fours
with a three and Richard Groom shot two bulls, two fours and three threes for 27
each and Oscar Thornton scored 26 to give the team a total of 197pts which was
thirteen below their league average. Avenue-RBL shooters only had three threes
between them and they raised their game with 31 from Jo Everett, 30 from Paul
Seabury, 29 from Dee Green and Steve Everett, 28 from Guy Ganderton and 27 from
Peter Mole the team finished on 209 which was three above their league average
winning the match without the need for the four point handicap from MEB.The two Binton teams met on home ground and with the A team having a handicap of 15 points they needed to shoot well to stand any chance of winning this match. Binton B started well enough with 32 from Mike Perry and 31 from Bill Fleming and Chris Green. But there followed a number of loose threes which kept the scores of the rest of the team below thirty but Sam Powell, though starting with a three centred his later shots better for six fours. With a score of 204, two below their league average they left a chance for the opposition to usurp the match. Binton A once more shot consistently with Simon Dale and Will Cemis both looking good for a possible until a single pellet failed to ring the bell and they had to settle for 34 each. Paul Clingan shot 33. Andy Smith shot 32 as did Neil Beningfield who lifted his game to achieve a seasonal best score. With 31 from John Parrott and 28 from Neil Bragg who recently lost out in the Norman Dale Cup the team finished on 224pts which gave them an impressive victory by five points.
Home Guard visited Wilmcote for their match in which Wilmcote were the handicapped team. The home team gave a good account of themselves with just two threes between them and a goodly number of bulls. Andy Morris shot another one of his famed 34’s, Alan Brookes and Tim Stephens shot 32 and John Maycock and Paul Boazman both shot fours and bulls for 31pts. Andrea Norris and Brian Adshead shot 30 and Lyn Brookes shot a steady par 28. The team had eight shooters and after disregarding the lowest score finished on 220pts. Home Guard who also fielded eight shooters changed their shooting order putting on Irene Parsons first. She started off well enough with three fours but a moments lack in concentration saw her have a stray shot before regaining her composure with a bull and two more fours. Richard Mills shot particularly well getting 32 and the team welcomed back Sam Goodman after an enforced absence due to a shoulder injury. He also shot 32 as did Steve Hodges. Bill Gately stayed out of the threes for 30 and Joshua Bridge and Derek Powers both hit two bulls to off set a three to give them 29 each. Home Guard dropped the lowest of their eight scores and finished on 212pts six above their league average. With a handicap bonus of 12 from Wilmcote they came out winners by four points to leave Wilmcote on the bottom of the Webley table without a win.
This week (Feb 10) teams shoot for the Thompson Cup with current holders Binton A at home to Avenue-RBL and Home Guard at home to Binton B. MEB have a bye match.