inton A 229 Avon 229. Binton had only fours and bulls on the score card but still had to work hard to recoup the handicap points given to Avon. With Chris Reed and Andy Smith just missing out on possibles and Colin Hayes shooting a personal best of 33 Binton took one point from this match to keep them at the top of the Webley table with 13 points from nine matches. Avon’s Alison McMillan continues to have a good season shooting 34 for the sixth time this season. Avon lie third in the table with 11 points.

Wilmcote 236 Home Guard 230. Brothers Adam and Jamie Clarke led Wilmcote’s score card with possibles. John Maycock and Lester Langford both missed a bull for 34 each. Home Guard saw the handicapped points whittled away by the accuracy of Wilmcote’s shooters. Gareth Morris’ 34 and Andy Morris’ 33 was not enough to win the match. Wilmcote are now second in the table with 13 points.

Avenue 212 Binton B 216. This match started on an even keel with shooters from both sides keeping pace with their scoring but Binton’s Steve Hodges added to the handicap lead when he shot a solid 32 points and a personal best of 30 from Ken Masters put the match out of Avenue’s reach notwithstanding a sterling effort from Steve Parrack who shot his fifth possible this season.

Clifford 211 MEB 211 MEB. did well to draw this match with only one of their shooters staying out of the threes and missing just one bull for 34 points. Clifford also had some loose threes but overall were more accurate including a 34 from Trevor Morris.

RODERICK BAKER CUP. On the 28th February, Binton Social Club held the Roderick Baker Competition. This format pits one shooter from each team, as well as last year's cup winner, against each other in a 7-shot knockout. Due to a disappointing turnout, the competition started in the semi-final stages where Andy Smith (Binton A) took on Lester Langford (Wilmcote) and Jamie Clarke (Last Year's Winner) faced Derek Powers (MEB).

Andy Smith (34.4) progressed to his 4th Roderick Baker Final after knocking out Lester Langford (32.3). Derek Powers (27.0) fell short of Jamie Clarke's score (32.1) which led to a repeat line-up of last year’s final. This time Andy Smith shooting first managed to secure the victory with 34.5 points to take the Roderick Baker Cup for the first time.

Report by Juana Everett, to be published on 9th March 2017