t’s
been a good week for shooters. On Monday 28 January representatives of the
Stratford League shot the second leg of the annual Avon Challenge match at
Wilmcote Social Club against eight shooters from Evesham. Stratford went into
the match leading by four shots after the first leg but they knew better than to
rest on their laurels as Evesham have held the trophy for more than 20 years.
Amy Lewis started with a possible and Adie Lewis shot 34 as did Dean Baglin. Ian
Hartwell shot 33, Keith Harris 32, Rob Pitcher 31, John Richards and Matt
Thompson both shot 30 to give Evesham 259 points in total. Though Stratford’s
shooters only started with 32 from Colin Fulford the team who regularly practice
together and are developing a positive team spirit kept their eye on the bull.
Michelle Dale shot a possible, Adam Clarke, Paul Clingan and Will Cemis all shot
34, Andrew Clingan shot 33 and Andy Smith and Steve Ray shot 32s. This gave the
team 266 points which added to the first leg score of 263 gave them a win by
eleven points over the two legs to take the trophy, their first win since
1991/92.
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The League’s veteran shooters have researched the history of the competition
which revealed that Bob Beazley who started shooting in the Stratford League in
the 1961/2 season was so keen on shooting that he joined the Redditch League as
well and in the early 1970s the idea to hold an annual competition between the
two leagues was developed. Bob generously donated the trophy and the Avon
Challenge came into being. Bob shot until approximately 2003 and is now an
Honorary Vice President of the League.
During the early 1970's victory was fairly evenly shared between the two teams.
Stratford won the trophy in 1981/2 and 1982/83 then again in 1984/85. However,
the most notable win was Evesham’s in 1983/4 when although the Stratford team
only dropped a total of 4 shots (scoring 276 out of a possible 280 points) in
the home leg, Evesham only dropped 6 shots in the two matches to win by 5 shots.
Stratford did not hold the trophy again until 1991/2.
This is the second season an inter-league match has taken place between
Stratford and Redditch. The finishing touches are still being put to the rules
but both Match /Fixtures secretaries Will Cemis for Stratford and Iain Marshall
for Redditch’s are ironing out the details with a view to finalising matters for
next season. At present there are no trophies, however it is intend to acquire a
winner’s trophy and also an award for the shooter with the highest aggregate
score. The two teams met at ENTACO in Redditch last Thursday for the second leg
shot under Redditch rules. Each of ten shooters had five shots. Stratford won
the first leg shot in October and went into the match with a 14 point lead.
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After winning the first leg against Redditch so convincingly it was decided to
try some new blood for the second leg, everyone selected performed to the high
standard Stratford are now setting themselves. Stratford shooters gave no
quarter when their first two shooters, Andy Smith and Adam Clarke both shot mini
possibles with five bulls each for 25 points. The middle ranks Michael Clarke,
Paul Onions, John Maycock, Andrew Clingan and Graham East slipped the odd four
but the rear guard action from Michelle Dale, Will Cemis and Steve Ray all of
whom shot mini possibles sealed Redditch’s fate. Redditch shooters kept their
shots tight but it was only Graham Whittington who scored a mini possible.
Royston Pratt, Gareth Morris and Rob Dyer came close with 24s. Brian Melley,
John Cope and Andy Morris 23s Carol Cope and Alan Brookes 22s and Iain Marshall
21. Stratford finished with 237 points which added to the first leg score shot
with seven pellets of 266 gave them a win by twenty points over the two legs.
Tonight the first round of the Four A Side Competition takes place at various
venues.