our preliminary rounds in the 4 A Side Charity Competition took place last week. Teams in this competition carry a handicap which on the night worked very well with four very close matches. Dad’s Army shooting at the Home Guard Club were hosts to Clifford. Shooters hit only bulls and fours with the Army, Andy Morris hitting 34, Gareth Morris and Alan Brookes 33 and Tim Stephens 32 for 132 points. Clifford’s Trevor and Jay Morris both shot 32. Ian Perkins and Ben Withers both shot above their league averages to bring Clifford’s total to 131 but not quite enough to get through to shoot against Let’s be Avenue in the quarter finals.

MEB had some loose threes when they shot against Binton Badgers. Paul Onions shot 32, one above his personal average and Marc Anderton maintained his average but with a 14 point handicap in their favour MEB finished on 128 points. The Badgers started their sett with a 33 from Michelle Dale and finished with a 34 from Andy Smith but the team missed out by one point to close on 127 points. MEB went through to the quarter finals.

Wilmcote Lads came up against Avon-a-Laugh. Though they kept their shots tight with a 34 from Paul Clingan, 33s from Lester Langford and Andrew Clingan and a respectable 30 from John Maycock they were bettered by Avon-a Laugh. With three shooters, Alison McMillan, Colin Fulford and Steve Ray all just missing possibles by one shot and a 31 from Karl McMillan they went home laughing with a win 133 points to 130.

Avon-a-Sighter’s match against Bintonite was so close it finished on a draw. Both teams shot more or less to their individual averages though Will Cemis shot a 34 and Richard Groom a 33 but Bintonite had to give four away and the rules award the match to the underdogs with the result that Avon-a-Sighter will meet Avon-a-Laugh in the next round.

Tonight, Thursday sees the final three rounds in the Whitbread Individual Cup which will be shot at the Home Guard Club starting at 8:30pm. Ashleigh Clarke shoots against Wayne Harris; Alan Creighton against Will Cemis; Andrew Clingan against Richard Groom and Andy Smith against Paul Onions.

Another reminder that the League will be hosting a Charity Quiz, and Bingo evening at Wilmcote Social Club on Sat 20 February at 7.30pm aiming to raise funds for Mind, Stratford Hospice and Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance. A number of generous donations have been received for an Auction to be held and prizes for a raffle will be welcome.

Report by Juana Everett, to be published on 11th February 2016