his season’s Webley Handicap Competition is working well and giving rise to some very close matches. Though Wilmcote’s marksmanship meant that they had a clear run in the 14 League matches, the tables have been turned in this half of the season and they have yet to win a match. MEB soldiered on through their league matches and have benefited from the handicap system but they have still to win a match.

Avenue vs MEB. Avenue shot well clawing back from MEB eighteen handicap points. Top shots came from Alan Crichton and Steve Parrack with 33s and James Wilby and Steve Garlick 32s. Paul Onions did well for MEB with 33 but at the final tally Avenue had a lucky win 217 to 214 points. It was unfortunate that one of MEB’s shooters had a missed shot or the result could have been completely different.

Binton A vs Home Guard. Both teams had eight shooters and both had two loose threes on the target. Home Guard took the lead by two points after three shooters but after five, including 33 from Michelle Dale, it was Binton in front by four points. Home Guard came back including Alan Brookes’ shot of 33 so that after seven shooters they led again and after a grand finale maximum points by Will Čemis the score was tied at 247 a piece but after deducting the lowest score from both teams and adding in the handicap from Binton of five points, it was Home Guard who came out winners 219 to 224 points.

Clifford vs Avon. This was another close match in which visitor Bill Fleming was the first of three shooters for Avon who scored 33 points, the others being Alison McMillan and Steve Ray. Jay Morris also notched up 33 for Clifford. Avon kept the pressure on to get back the four handicap points given to Clifford with solid shooting from the whole team. The final score was 221 to 222, Avon pipping Clifford at the post.

Wilmcote vs Binton B. Binton kept pace with Wilmcote so that after three shooters the scores were level at 96 each which included 34 from Adam Clarke and a career best from Ian Powell of 33. Wilmcote’s middle rank, Lester Langford and Jamie Clarke both hit 34s but Binton’s accuracy tailed off. With a cushion of twenty two handicap points Binton came out winners 229 to 231 points.

Alison McMillan retained the Ladies Rose Bowl, winning for the third time with a score of 49.4 which included a mini possible in her second visit to the target.

Adam Clarke won the Bill Amos Competition at the Christmas shoot in December, with Paul Clingan and Steve Garlick runners up. The Open Shoot was won by Steve Garlick with Lester Langford in second place. The evening raised £45 from a raffle; the now famous special jar of pickled onions provided once again by Chris and Brenda Green of Binton B was bought for £14 by Adam Clarke; Jo Langford’s hand crafted dog Christmas stockings raised £10 and the final total including entrance fees was £100.

Report by Juana Everett, to be published on 19th January 2017