he
Roderick Baker competition was shot out on Tuesday 11 February at Binton Social
Club. Traditionally, the best shooter from each team takes part and it was
somewhat disappointing that only five of the eight teams in the league put a
representative forward for the competition which is shot on a seven shot
knockout basis with 5.1 being scored for a clean bull. However it is clear from
the scorecard that the event produced some top notch shooting especially from
Will Cemis and Jamie Clarke, who competed against each other in an epic finale.Early rounds saw Andy Smith (Binton A) beat Andrew Clingan (Wilmcote), in a close match even though both shooters performed under par but Smith had the better eye with four bulls and 32.3 points to Clingan’s three bulls and 31.3 points. Adam Clarke (Avon) set Paul Onions (MEB) an impressive target of 35.5, to which Onions had no reply. Both Jamie Clarke (Avenue A) and Will Cemis, the defending champion, had a first round bye as a result of the poor turnout.
The semi-finals saw Jamie Clarke narrowly missed a possible scoring 34.4 when he shot in the semi final against Andy Smith. However with two fours Smith went out of the competition with 33.2 points. Adam Clarke could not repeat his first round possible shooting three fours and four bulls for 32.2 points. Will Cemis started and ended on bulls but two fours with his third and fourth pellets but it was enough to give him a place in the final with 33.2 points.
The final saw Jamie Clarke, in his first ever cup final, set Will Cemis, who has held the trophy for the last 3 years, a score of 34.4. Regardless of scoring a four with his first shot, Will Cemis, went on to find the bull repeatedly and with his last shot Cemis secured a re-shoot by getting a clean bull which also gave him 34.4 points. In the re-shoot the competitors stepped up in reverse order. Will Cemis went first and masterfully scored a possible which included 4 clean bulls leaving Jamie Clarke needing not only a possible but also five clean bulls take the title. Taking his time, Jamie Clarke slowly put one bull in after another. So close was the shoot out that the scores were level after four pellets. Clarke’s finish of three clean bulls gave him the required 35.5 points and he took the title of Roderick Baker Champion for 2013/14. Both finalists shot unbelievably well under pressure but it was Clarke who took home the trophy.
In week 3 of the Webley Shield matches, Avon shooters grabbed the glory with Adam Clarke, Sam Goodman and Alison McMillan all getting possibles and Steve Ray shooting 34 in the match against Wilmcote. Richard Groom shot 33, Mark Ellis 32 and Bill Fleming 31 which gave Avon 235 points. Wilmcote’s Paul Clingan was unlucky not to get a possible missing just one bull for 34. Andrea Norris and Andrew Clingan both shot 33 and Graham East shot 32. John Maycock shot 31 and Michael Clarke 30 but even with 7 points from Avon’s handicap they managed 229 points.
Binton A fielded six shooters for their match against Avenue B who also had six shooters and in which they gave away 26 points. Binton shot well but not all their shooters were on top form. Andy Smith and Will Cemis just missed out on possibles with 34 points Alan Brookes, Chris Reed and John Parrott all shot 32 and Alan Dyer 30 with an A N Other score of 28 they finished on 222 points. Avenue B’s team shot consistently with 30 points from Mark Taplin, Jackie Mills, and Andrew Radbourne. Joshua Bridge shot 29 and Haydn Taplin 28. Richard Mills was unlucky shooting 27. An A N Other score and Binton’s handicap points gave Avenue 228 in total and a win.
Clifford were at home to Binton B with both teams fielding eight shooters. Clifford did well with only one counting three on the scoreboard. Ian Perkins, Jay Morris and Ben Huckfield all shot 32. Trevor Morris, Martin Robinson and David Sibley all shot 31. Roy Brookes shot 29 and Ben Osbourne’s score was discarded. Binton’s shooters were less consistent with a smattering of threes throughout the team except for Joe Powell and Steve Hodges who shot 32 and Angie Powell who shot 31. Ian Powell shot 30 and Mary Kent and Sam Powell 29. Ben Chamberlain and Bill Gately shot under par with Gately’s score being discarded. With 3 handicap points Binton lost the match with 213 points to Clifford’s 218.
Avenue A had only six shooters for their match against MEB. Jamie Clarke still high from his success in the Roderick Baker on Tuesday shot another possible for the home team. Paul Nixon-Barron stayed out of the threes for 30. Steve Everett and Dee Green slipped into the three but still managed par 28. Jo Everett and Mark Anderton only hit the bull once for 26 and 27 respectively. MEB had mixed fortunes with 33 from Paul Onions, 31 from Dave Beasley and 30 from Kath Williams. Their other shooters also had a smattering of threes with Oscar Thornton and Tim Onions getting 29 and Ray Hodgkins and Fred Williams who unluckily has a missed shot with his first pellet getting 26. MEB had a six point handicap which resulted in a final score line MEB 204 Avenue A 206 points.
Tonight the quarter finals of the 4Aside Competition takes place at various venue with MEB vs Wilmcote; Avenue B vs Avon-A-Go; Avon-A-Laugh vs Snittercote and Binton Badgers vs Clifford