lifford
held onto their place at the top of the Webley Shield table despite losing their
first match in this competition to league winners Binton A. Clifford’s best shot
was 32 from Ben Huckfield then 31 from Martin Robinson. A few loose shots
resulted in the rest of the team shooting at or just below their personal
averages and they shot 205 points altogether but with another 19 handicap points
from Binton the final score was 224. Binton did not give an inch and the team
pulled out all the stops. Andy Smith who has become renowned for his 34s in
matches and “Sunday Sevens” on practice nights eventually did it and shot his
first career possible. Gary Hooper started with a four but six bulls gave him
34. Michelle Dale and Will Cemis each got five bulls for scores of 33. Alan Dyer
and John Parrott both shot 31 and Neil Beningfield, though he kept his shots
tight, only came away with 29 points. Binton’s seven shot 226 points to win the
match.Binton B were at home to Wilmcote and though they were on their home target it was not very generous towards them. They shot plenty of fours but bulls were relatively uncommon. Their highest score was 29 shot by Mary Kent, Chris Green and Joe Powell. They had 10 points from Wilmcote but only managed 206 points altogether. Wilmcote on the other hand seemed to have the measure of the Binton target with a good number of bulls and fewer loose threes. Paul Clingan shot 33 and John Maycock, Graham East, Andrea Norris and Andrew Clingan all shot 30. With 208 points they came away winners of the match. With 8 points from their 6 matches they still have a chance of equalling Clifford on points.
Avon SC were at home to Avenue who had the benefit of 15 handicap points before they even loaded a pellet. Avenue had five loose threes including two from Peter Mole which he levelled out with bulls. Wayne Harris shot 32 equalling his seasonal and personal best. Steve Everett kept out of the threes for 30 and the rest of the team shot at or above their individual averages. With eight points higher than their league average score, they won the match with 220 points. The Avon team shot only fours and bulls. Colin Fulford and Richard Groom had the best shots with 32. Adam Clarke, Bill Fleming, Alison McMillan and Steve Ray all shot 31. Though Avon lost the match with 217 points, they too have 8 points from their 6 matches and still have a chance of equalling Clifford on points.
Home Guard went to Wilmcote to shoot against MEB with just one point in their pocket. They were able to field eight shooters and at the end dropped their lowest score. MEB shooters suffered mixed fortunes. Fred Williams unusually went first and scored 32. Oscar Thornton started with a three but four bulls brought him to 31 a seasonal and personal best figure. Jan Beattie kept out of the threes for 30 as did Paul Workman who shot 29. Kath Williams shot below par and veteran shooters Ray Hodgkins and Gordon Spencer struggled for good shots. Overall the team shot below average scoring 201 points. Home Guard had two 31s from Haydn Taplin and Steve Hodges and though the rest of the team stayed out of the threes they did not ring the bell as often as they deserved. Scoring four more than their average league score Home Guard came out winners with 207 points.
The competition for the Senior Shield currently held by Alison McMillan will be held tonight 28 March at Wilmcote Social Club.