lifford
WMC did not shoot to the best of their capabilities but they won their match
against Wilmcote and retained the Webley Shield. Wilmcote could only field five
shooters and had to give 14 handicap points to Clifford. However undeterred,
John Maycock kept out of the threes for 30 points as did Andrew Clingan who shot
32 and Paul Clingan shot his third possible in the Webley Competition and his
eighth possible this season. The team with two A N Other scores finished on 207
points. Clifford were without Martin Robinson who has topped the Improvement
Table to win the individual trophy for the most improved shooter from last
season. Ben Huckfield and Trevor Morris both stayed out of the threes for 29s.
Tony Waters and Ian Perkins also shot 29 but with loose threes countered by
bulls. With the handicap points, the team scored 213 to win the match.Avon SC shot against Home Guard in what is likely to be the last match shot at Tiddington. They had a team of seven shooters to Home Guard’s eight. Both teams gave shot very well with Hayden Taplin shooting a career best of 34 and Steve Hodges getting his first possible on the Home Guard side. Three of Avon’s shooters, Richard Groom, Alison McMillan and Steve Ray shot season best scores of 34 and Colin Fulford who used to be a Home Guard shooter shot 33. Avon had to give 9 handicap points away but Home Guard though they made best use of them lost the match by just one point 225 to 226. Avon’s win gave them second place in the Webley Competition.
Avenue SSC were at home against Binton B and had 5 handicap points in hand but as it turned out they were not needed. Binton’s best shots came from Chris Green who started the night’s shooting with 30 and was later followed by Roy Clarke who also shot 30. The team managed 195 points. Avenue’s Paul Nixon Barron shot a personal best of 33 putting the team into the right frame of mind. With scores around personal averages, Avenue won the match with 201 points.
Binton A were hosts to MEB who had 14 handicap points in hand at the start of the match. These were whittled away the Binton crew who consistently shot bulls and fours with only one three on the target. Sheila Clarke finished the season with 33 points. Gordon Spencer whose form has been variable this season shot a season best of 31 and Kath and Fred Williams both shot 30. The handicap points brought the teams total score to 223. Binton’s Chris Reed notches up 33 points, Andy Smith was knocking on the door of a possible with 34 points but Will Cemis shot his first possible this season in League and Webley matches. Binton’s seven shooters pipped MEB at the post with a final score of 224 points.
The postponed match between Binton A and Avenue SSC took place last Sunday at Wilmcote, on neutral territory. The usual Sunday practice night being suspended to allow for the match. Both teams could only field six shooters and benefited from an A N Other score of 28. Jon Packard and Jo Everett were the only Avenue shooters to stay out of the threes for scores of 30 and 32 respectively, a season best for Everett. Paul Nixon Barron slipped one three for 31. Binton’s captain, Andy Smith was first to shoot and with his professional shooting jacket, ear plugs and a beer mat eye shield to aid concentration he shot a possible and went home to affix his third start to his rifle this season. Will Cemis shot 33 as did Alan Dyer which for him was a season best score. The match ended in a draw with 222 points a side and left Avenue in third place in the Webley Competition.
Smith and Cemis’ scores put them in second and third place in the Baildham Cup with averages of 32.8 and 32.5 respectively. Paul Clingan topped the table with an average of 32.9.
The final matches of the season - the final of the Thompson Cup, will take place at the Avon Sports Bar tonight 18 April between Wilmcote and Binton B: The Tri-Corner Match between Redditch, Stratford and Evesham League representatives will be held in Redditch on 25 April.
Last year’s trophy winners are reminded that they need to be returned to the Delegates Meeting on 7 May or to Brian Portman in readiness for Presentation Night which will be at Wilmcote SSC on Saturday 11 May.