inton B 235 Wilmcote 227. Binton have topped the Webley League table for all but two of the fourteen week season but they have had no certainty of winning the Shield with a strong challenge from Avenue throughout and a late season bid from Binton A. In their final match, Binton came up against League winners Wilmcote, known for their accuracy and though they had a comfort cushion of a 22 point handicap, knew they need to shoot above average. Chris Green got them off to a good start with a season best of 33 and Steve Hodges just missed one bull for his season best shot of 34. Wilmcote’s Adam Clarke shot 34 and Graham East, Lester Langford and Paul Clingan all shot 33 but Binton held on to win the match and the Webley Shield.

Avenue 203 Clifford 210. Both Avenue and Clifford had only five shooters for this end of season match. Avenue who have been in second place needed a win to hold their place. However with a poor start to the match and without their most consistent shooters their hopes faded as Clifford’s Jay Morris equalled his season best of 33 and Ian Perkins only just failed to get his second possible this season. James Wilby’s 31 and Steve Garlick’s 32 was not enough to secure a win for the team. Avenue lost the match and fell into third place.

Home Guard 214 Binton A 220. Binton have shot well in this competition consistently getting scores above their League average to win six of their last seven matches. Team captain Andy Smith set the bar, shooting first and missing only one bull for 34. Will Cemis shot 33 and the rest of the team had no threes on the score card to end on scores over 30. Home Guard’s Tim Stevens and Andy Morris both shot 32s but with some loose threes and an A N Other score this match proved to be a struggle. Though Binton gave handicap points to Home Guard they led throughout the match to come out winners to secure runners up spot in the competition.

MEB 234 Avon 230. Both teams had eight shooters and had to drop their lowest score which was something of a relief for MEB but a greater loss for Avon. Paul Onions topped the scoring for MEB with 33 and Derek Powers and Rob Dipple both shot 31. Avon got off to a solid start with 33 from Bill Fleming followed by Nick Williams’ tenth possible of the season. Steve Ray missed one bull for with 34 and Alison McMillan rounded the night off and the end of this competition with her fourteenth career possible this season. However the handicap points made sure that MEB came out winners.

The season continues for three more weeks with the Semi Final rounds of the Thompson Cup being shot tonight (17 May) with Binton A v Wilmcote at Home Guard Club and Home Guard v Binton B at Wilmcote Social Club: the final of the 4-A-Side Competition at Wilmcote Social Club on 24 May and the final round of the Thompson Cup at Clifford Social Club on 31 May.

Report by Juana Everett, to be published on 17th May 2018