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Target Air Gun Shooting – The new shooting season got underway last week when
shooters dusted off their rifles for the first week’s matches in the competition
for the L C Docker League Cup. Derek Powers’ efforts to found a new team based
at Snitterfield Sports Club were unfortunately not successful but the Club will
be used during the season for competitions in the hope that interest in the
sport can be maintained and a team formed next season. A number of shooters
changed teams and seven new shooters were recruited. The Home Guard team has
seen the most changes. Doubts about the availability of the venue in the
short/medium term forced the team to look for a new venue for the new season.
They decided to shoot at Avenue Sports and Social Club. Four shooters have left
the team and found new homes within the league but they have found two new
shooters, Andrew Radborne and Matt Clarke.Cup Holders Binton A shot at Wilmcote against MEB. Andy Smith, captain of the Binton team started the shooting with a 34. Team mates Michelle Dale and Will Cemis also shot 34. John Parrott shot 33 and Gary Hooper 32. Three shooters scored 29 including new shooter Bzhar Gharib who stayed out of the threes but Alan Dyer and Neil Beningfield both had a loose shot. Oscar Thornton was the first to shoot for MEB scoring a solid 30. Experienced shooter Fred Williams and Paul Onions who has returned to shooting after a long gap both shot 32. Kath Williams scored 29 staying out of the threes and Tim Onions, another new shooter and Paul Workman both shot 28s. Veteran shooters Ray Hodgkins and Gordon Spencer did less well. Both teams fielded eight shooters and after dropping the lowest score on each side Binton came out winners with 225 points to MEB’s 205.
Binton Social Club hosted the match between Binton’s second team and Avon Shooting Club. Avon shot very well with their first three shooters, Adam Clarke, Sam Goodman who has transferred from the Home Guard team and Colin Fulford all scoring 33 which gave the team a solid start to the match. Their early lead was consolidated with further 33s from Alison McMillan and Richard Groom. Steve Ray shot 32, Bill Fleming 30 and Karl McMillan 28. Binton’s top scorers were Angie Powell and Steve Hodges who has also left the Home Guard team, both shot 32. Joe and Ian Powell both shot 30. Mary Kent and Bill Gately previously of the Home Guard had a couple of loose shots. Binton finished on 207 points. Avon dropped the lowest of their eight scores to finish on 227 points an excellent start to the season which put them at the top of the league table.
Clifford WMC were at home against the second team now based at Avenue SSC, formerly the Home Guard team. Clifford’s Tony Waters shot a personal best of 33 which was the highest score in the match. New shooter David Sibley did well in his first competitive shoot with 32. Trevor Morris and Martin Robinson both shot 31 and Rachael Brookes 30. Ian Perkins and Roy Brookes both had loose shots but the team finished on 213 points. Avenue’s second team captain, Jackie Mills shot 32. Matt Clarke and Irene Parsons both shot 31 and Haydn Taplin 30. Mark Taplin and Richard Mills had a couple of loose shots but still managed 29. Andrew Radborne shot consistent fours but failed to find the bull and Joshua Bridge was unlucky. After dropping the lowest of their eight scores the team finished on 209 points.
Avenue took an early and surprising lead in their match against Wilmcote with a 33 from Paul Nixon-Barron. Steve Everett and Dee Green both shot 30 and Peter Mole shot 29. Paul Seabury had a couple of loose shots and Jo Everett struggled. With only six shooters they needed an A N Other score to finish on 200 points. Wilmcote took back the lead as the match progressed with 32 from brothers Andrew and Paul Clingan. Andrea Norris shot 31 and John Maycock and James Matthews 30s. Graham East and Michael Clarke both scored 28. Veteran shooter Derek Powers had a couple of loose shots and his scored ended up being scratched as the lowest of eight. Wilmcote finished on 211 points.
Visit our website to find out more www.sagl.co.uk and the league is still looking for new shooters. If interested, please contact Andy Smith on 01789 751 033 or e-mail to adssmithuk@yahoo.co.uk
Matches this week Avenue B vs Avenue A; Avon vs MEB; Binton A vs Clifford and Wilmcote vs Binton B