inton A 224 Wilmcote 234. This was a needle match between the two top teams in the league who both have average team scores of 225. Both started exceptionally well with Binton’s first shooter Chris Reed shooting 33 then Andy Smith 35, his fourth maximum. Wilmcote’s Jamie Putnam shot his second possible this season, followed by Lester Langford shooting 34 to put their team in front by one point. After the next two shooters for each team Binton A had a two point lead. Adam Clarke and Graham East were next to shoot for Wilmcote and both hit six bulls and a four for 34s which gave them a lead of four points. Binton shooters saw the gap grow wider when Wilmcote’s last two shooters both scored 33s. Having eight team members both sides scratched their lowest score which left Binton with 224 and Wilmcote with a wonderful 234, their highest score this season.

MEB 219 Avon 224. Avon had to give thirteen handicap points to MEB but after three shooters they had pulled them back. With only fours and bulls on the target they continued with determined effort to pull ahead. Top shots for Avon were Nick Williams who shot his third possible this season and Richard Groom who shot 33. Despite the efforts of Rob Dipple and Steph Ford who both shot season best scores of 33 and 32 respectively, MEB saw the match get away from them only to end in defeat.

Home Guard 214 Avenue 215. The home team started well with 34 from Gareth Morris and 30 from Tim Stephens to give them 6 point lead over the visitors. Avenue managed to pull a point back when Jo Everett shot a season best of 30 four above her league average. James Wilby pulled two more back with 32 and Avenue were glad of the comfort of nine handicap points which left Andy Morris needing maximum points to win the match. He started with three bulls but when his fourth pellet failed to ring the bell he knew the match was lost. Both teams had six shooters and A N Other 28 on both sides ended the match with a win for Avenue by the narrowest of margins - a single point.

Report by Juana Everett, to be published on 17th January 2019