he
semi final round of the challenge for the Thompson Knock Out Cup took place at
neutral venues last week. This trophy has a long history being donated by Edgar
Raymond Thompson who was mayor of Stratford in 1926/27 and 1927/28. Wilmcote
Social Club hosted the match between Binton A and Avon SC and Binton Social Club
the match between Wilmcote and Home Guard.The first match was high scoring and shooters did well with the Binton team scoring 27 bulls and 21 fours and the Avon team shooting 28 bulls and 17 fours. It is often said in shooting circles that it’s not the bulls that win a match but the threes that lose it and so it was here. Binton had just one three on the score card which gave them 222 points but Avon had four threes which brought their total to 220 points. The most accurate shooters were Binton’s Andy Smith and Will Cemis who statistically are more than 60% likely to hit the bull than not who both scored 34. Avon’s Alison McMillan came close to getting her second possible when she shot 34. Richard Groom having started with a three was pleased to go on to shoot six bulls for 33 points. Steve Ray kept out of the threes, also shooting 33 points.
In the other match, both Wilmcote and Home Guard had eight shooters. Brothers Paul and Andrew Clingan both shot 33. Andrea Norris and John Maycock shot a steady 32 each contributing to Wilmcote’s total of 218 points. Home Guard did not shoot to the best of their abilities. Their highest shot was Steve Hodges with 30. The Binton target did not suit the team at all with every member of the team slipping at least one three, they shot only 196 points, well below their season average and which put pay to their cup challenge.
The final will take place on 18 April between Wilmcote and Binton A who no doubt will be looking for their fourth consecutive win.
The 4 A Side quarter final matches take place tonight (14 March) when Wilmcote B meet Avon A Go; Avenue shoot against Home Guard A; Binton B meet Binton A2 and Binton A1 shoot against Home Guard B.