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Webley Shield Competition got underway last week when the final league fixture
list was reversed. Avenue SSC were at home to Wilmcote SSC who had a handicap of
16 points. Despite Wilmcote’s better league performance, Avenue who did well
against them when they last met, were hopeful of a win with the handicap in
place. After four shooters, Avenue were holding their own, only 3 points behind
but Wilmcote’s rear guard shooters were much more accurate with 34 from Andrew
Clingan and 32 from brother Paul and Andrea Norris. With only six shooters and
an A N Other score of 28, Avenue finished on 214 points to Wilmcote’s 218.Binton B’s opponents were Avon SC. Binton’s league average score of 202 plus Avon’s handicap of 9 points should not have worried Avon who shot 223 points when the teams last met. However, the match proved to be much closer than expected as Avon’s shooters almost without exception shot below par. The outcome of this match depended on the final shooters and when Steve Ray shot 33 to give Avon 209 points, the pressure was on Binton’s relatively inexperienced Angie Powell to shoot 28 to draw on points. Unfortunately, the pressure proved too much and with two loose shots, Binton ended on 207 points.
Binton A had to give Home Guard 15 points but could only field five shooters, so it was clear from the start that they would have to give more points to away as an A N Other score cannot exceed 28 and Binton’s individual shooters average score has been 31 this season. Chris Reed shot 32 and Andy Smith and Will Cemis both shot 31. The team ended up with 208 points, their lowest score this season. Home Guard had eight shooters but they struggled to find the bull. Jackie Mills managed 31 but with mainly fours on the target, the team scored 216 including the handicap and won the match.
MEB and Clifford both fielded teams of eight shooters and though both teams shot above their average , only Clifford’s Chris Ward shot more than two bulls. Five members of the MEB and four of Clifford’s shooters shot 30, the highest score in this match. The final score was MEB 206 and Clifford 205 but with five handicap points, Clifford came out winners with 210 points and a match win.
Matches tonight see Avenue vs Home Guard; Avon vs Clifford; Binton B vs MEB and Wilmcote vs Binton A.