he Stratford Air Gun League (SAGL) started its 109th season last Thursday. Over the summer the team based at Clifford Chambers decided to withdraw from the league as they were very short of shooters leaving the League with seven teams. T J Hooker has joined MEB and the Binton B team has welcomed the League’s youngest shooter Ben Hodges. Wilmcote Social Club continue to hold practice sessions on Sunday evenings from 7.30pm. To find out what we do or if you would like to have a go then please come along and give bell target shooting a try as we are always looking for new shooters to boost existing teams - contact Paul on 01789 292493 for more information.

Avon 227 Binton B 215. Avon shooters took control of this match from the start with their first three shooters Bill Fleming, Nick Williams and Chris Adams all just missing one bull for 34s. Their last shooter Steve Ray started the season off in style with maximum points to score a possible. Binton’s Steve Hodges and Benn Chamberlain shot 32 and 31s from four of their shooters got the team off to a solid start to the season even though they came second in the match.

Wilmcote 227 Home Guard 211. Wilmcote had a comfortable win here even though Home Guard took an early lead with 31s from brothers Gareth and Tom Morris; 32 from Tim Stephens and 33 from Andy Morris but consistent scores of 32 from Wilmcote’s middle ranks together with a good finish including 34 from Lester Langford and a possible from Paul Clingan saw Wilmcote win through.

Avenue 197 MEB 217. At the start of this match 32s from James Wilby and Alan Crichton kept Avenue in touch with MEB scores but a rear guard action lead by Rob Dipple who scored 33, Marc Anderton’s 32 and Paul Onions 34 gave the team a comfortable win over Avenue who were without three of their regular shooters.

The winners of the Summer Paper Target Competition which was run throughout July and August at Wilmcote were announced at the League’s September Meeting. Andy Smith was the overall winner with 454 points out of a possible 480 and Nick Williams who shot two perfect cards was runner up with 448 points. Steve Hodges shot 416 points winning the Class B Group and Steve Everett won the Class C Group with 376 points.

Report by Juana Everett, to be published on 13th September 2018