he second half of the shooting season got underway last Thursday with the first matches in the Webley League Competition. Binton B travelled to Avenue-RBL looking for victory after a narrow defeat in their recent League match. The first six shooters, Bill Fleming, Mike Perry and Joe Powell for Binton and Paul Nixon Barron, Jo Everett and Paul Seabury for Avenue-RBL, all shot 30. There was not much between the middle ranks either who tended towards the odd stray three in their shots to score less than 30. However, the Powell twins both shot personal best scores. Roy Clarke kept out of the threes for 29 and though Rob Johnson got two bulls these were pulled down by a three which gave him another 29pts. The lowest of Binton’s eight scores was dropped and they finished on 204 which was 2 below their league average. Avenue-RBL having drifted behind in the match, needed 34 to win the match and the burden of the game rested their last shooter, Steve Ray who has not been available for a league match since mid November. He shot seven bulls to give him his first possible in a league match this season. Avenue-RBL also had eight shooters and after dropping their lowest score, snatched victory with 206pts.

Binton A were at home for their match against Home Guard and Binton, with a higher average in the League, had to shoot with a 16 point handicap. Richard and Jackie Mills started the match off, both shooting 30. Too many threes kept Home Guard’s middle shooters’ scores below 30 and Bill Gately had a stray three but finished on 29 after getting two bulls. Steve Hodges shot 31 as did Colin Fulford who shot below par. After dropping the lowest of their eight scores and adding on Binton’s handicap the team finished on 218pts. Binton’s Paul Clingan and Will Cemis gave a good account of themselves with 33pts. Gary Hooper and Neil Bragg both shot 32. Simon Dale 31, and 30 was scored by both John Parrott and Neil Beningfield. Alan Dyer shot below par getting two threes which pulled down both his bulls. After dropping the lowest of their eight scores, Binton won the match with 221pts.

Wilmcote Social Club saw a match between both their teams, with MEB shooting as the home team. Andy Morris was once more unlucky not to get a possible having started with a four, he went on to get six bulls and 34pts. Brian Adshead started with two fours but went on to get five bulls for 33. Paul Boazman and Alan Brookes both shot 30 and John Maycock and Tim Stephens both shot 29. Lyn Brookes and Andrea Norris both shot below par. After disregarding the lowest of their eight scores Wilmcote finished on 212pts. Fred Williams had the highest score for MEB with 33 and Ray Hodgkins shot a season best of 32. Sheila Clarke and Richard Groom both shot a steady 31pts. Gordon Spencer shot a consistent 30 and Oscar Thornton and Kath Williams both had a stray three for 29. MEB’s total was 215 which gave them victory without the need of Wilmcote’s handicap of 8pts.

Matches tonight, Thursday 13 January see Binton A vs Avenue-RBL; Home Guard vs MEB and Wilmcote vs Binton B. More information is available on our website www.sagl.co.uk.