Thompson Cup

Semi Finals

here were only two matches last week, the Semi Finals of the Thompson Cup.  Binton’s two teams shot against each other on a neutral target at Wilmcote Social Club and Avenue-RBL shot against MEB at Binton Social Club.  Binton A who have held the trophy for the last two years meant business with a 34 start from Andy Smith which was followed by a 33 from Michelle Dale then 31 from Gary Hooper.  Binton B were struggling to keep up with Bill Fleming’s 32, Chris Green 29 and Jon Packard 31.  The A team kept the pressure on with their mid team shooters Neil Bragg 29 and Alan Dyer 30.  The B team failed to match the consistency of their opponents with loose threes from Gordon O’nions 27, Joe Powell 29 and Sam Powell, who had an injured ankle which affected his balance, shot 25.  Ben Chamberlain kept out of the threes for a par 28 which gave Binton B a total of 201 points.  Barring disaster, it was all over after Neil Beningfield put 32 on the target but that did not stop Will Cemis from keeping his eye on the bull for his second possible this season which brought Binton A’s total score to 224 points and gave them a place in the final.

Avenue-RBL’s match against MEB was much closer.  Avenue only had six shooters but ten turned out for the MEB.  Though Avenue took an early lead they knew that MEB’s first shooter’s score of 25 was likely to be dropped as the lowest of their eight selected shooter’s scores and that they could not relax.  Sheila Clarke had the highest score for MEB with 31 then 29s followed from Karl McMillan, Richard Groom and Fred Williams.  Jan Beattie and Paul Workman shot par 28s and Kath Williams 27 to give MEB a total of 201.  For Avenue, Alison McMillan shot well scoring 33 and Steve Ray shot 32.  Steve Everett scored 29 and Paul Nixon Barron shot a par 28 as did Jo Everett, who made heavy work of it when she had a very loose pellet to start but three bulls pulled up her score.  With 27 from Dee Green and A N Other, Avenue-RBL came out winners with 204 points  to take their place in the final which will be shot on 19 April at a venue to be decided.  Avenue will need to really concentrate to stand a chance against League winners Binton A,  but it has to be said that they have done well to get this far as in previous years they have gone out of this competition in the first round. 

Fixtures tonight 29 March – Binton B vs Binton A; Home Guard vs  Wilmcote and MEB vs Avenue-RBL.  Clifford have a bye.

A final reminder for the Charity Quiz on 31 March at Wilmcote Social Club to raise funds for the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance.  8pm start for teams of no more than 6, entry fee £3 a head and £60 first prize.