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President’s Cup, a competition open to shooters who have an average of 30 or
less was shot on Tuesday 13 March at Binton Club with just 14 of the 42 eligible
shooters taking part. First round matches:- Richard Mills got a bye to the quarter final round as did Gordon Spencer. Bill Gately knocked out Joshua Bridge in the first round with a score of 21 to 19. Alison McMillan knocked out Jackie Mills when she shot an impressive 24.1 points. Irene Parsons 18 was knocked out by Haydn Taplin who shot a three followed by four bulls for 23.3. Roy Clarke 21 beat Karl McMillan 19. Joe Powell shot 22.1 which knocked his brother, Sam out of the competition who was handicapped by an injured leg and ankle which affected his balance. Derek Powers and Chris Green both shot 22.2 and had to re-shoot with Chris Green coming out best with 21.2 to 19 points.
Quarter finals:- Richard Mills kept out of the threes for 21 beating Bill Gately’s 20 points. Alison McMillan shot a second 24.1 points to eliminate Gordon Spencer who shot 22.1 points. Haydn Taplin and Roy Clarke both shot 18 and had to re-shoot. Roy Clarke scored 18 again but Haydn Taplin shot 20.1 for his place in the semi final. Joe Powell and Chris Green both shot 22 and also had to re-shoot. Neither shooter did as well in the re-shoot with Joe Powell shooting 19 and Chris Green shooting 20.
Semi finals:- Both these matches were shot with seven pellets. Richard Mills put in one clean bull for 29.1 points but Alison McMillan put in two dirty bulls and came out best with 30 points and in the second match Haydn Taplin managed two clean bulls for 30.1 but Chris Green was not as accurate and came off second best with 29.1.
The final was between Alison McMillan who won the Senior Shield just three weeks ago and Haydn Taplin, one of the youngest shooters in the league. The match was close with both shooters putting in a four, then a bull and another four then Alison edged in front with a bull to a four from Haydn. She went on to shoot three more fours to give her 30 points and Haydn had it all to do. He shot two fours and a clean bull which gave him 30.1 and he piped Alison at the post to win his first trophy in competitive shooting.
Avenue-RBL were at home to Binton B who had to give the home team four points. Bill Fleming and Chris Green got Binton off to a very good start with 33 each. Ben Chamberlain and Rob Johnson both shot 31, Gordon O’nions 30 and both Joe Powell and Jon Packard shot 29 for a total of 216 points. Avenue trailed behind throughout the match with 30 from Alison McMillan and Paul Nixon-Barron, 29 from Steve Everett and Dee Green and a meagre 27 from Jo Everett. Steve Ray started with three bulls but could not keep on target and had to settle for 32 points. With an A N Other score, Avenue finished on 209.
Binton A were at home to Home Guard who had 12 points in hand from Binton. Unusually, the Binton shooters slipped in four threes which brought down individual scores. Will Cemis had Binton’s highest score 32, Gary Hooper and John Parrott both shot 31 and Andy Smith and Chris Reed both shot 30. Alan Dyer and Neil Beningfield had to settle for 28s and Neil Bragg’s score was scratched as the lowest of eight. This gave Binton 210 points. Home Guard were shooting well with 34 from Colin Fulford and 33 from Sam Goodman both scores being season bests. Steve Hodges shot 32 and Bill Gately 31, Jackie Mills 30, Joshua Bridge 29, and Richard Mills 28. Haydn Taplin unfortunately had an outer which led to his score being scratched as the lowest of Home Guard’s eight shooters. They finished on a total of 229 points.
Wilmcote only had five shooters for their match against Clifford WMC who also had only five. Wilmcote put on a good show with 32 from Paul Clingan, 31 from Andrea Norris and John Maycock and a par 28 from Tim Stephens. Brian Adshead became only the fifth individual this season to get a possible as he settled to the target and put away one bull after another for 35 points. With two A N Other scores, Wilmcote’s total was 213. Clifford’s best score was from Trevor Morris who got 31 but Roy Brookes shot a personal best of 28. Tony Waters and Brian Smith shot par 28s and Rachael Brookes 27. With two A N Other scores and 31 handicap points from Wilmcote, Clifford came out winners with 229 points.
This week, 22 March, sees the semi final round of the Thompson Knock-Out Cup when Avenue-RBL meet MEB at Binton Social Club and Binton A shoot against Binton B at Wilmcote Social Club. The Roderick Baker Cup will take place at Binton Social Club on Monday 26 March.
Another reminder for the Charity Quiz with a first prize of £60 which will be held in aid of the Warwickshire Air Ambulance, at Wilmcote Social Club on Saturday 31 March. Tickets £3 per person, teams of no more than 6.