THIS season’s Stratford & District Airgun League Webley Shield Handicap competition is proving very competitive.
There have been many close matches and, although Wilmcote’s expert marksmanship meant they had a clean sweep of victories 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 yet to win a match.
Avenue shot well to claw back 18 handicap points on MEB. Top shots came from Alan Crichton and Steve Parrack with 33s and James Wilby and Steve Garlick with 32s.
Paul Onions did well for MEB with 33 but at the final tally it was Avenue who prevailed 217-214.
It was unfortunate for MEB that one of their shooters had a missed shot, or the result could have been completely different.
The match between Binton A and Home Guard saw both teams with 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 fought back including Alan Brookes’ shot of 33 and, after seven shooters, they led again.
After a grand finale maximum points by Andy Smith, the score was tied at 247 apiece but, after deducting the lowest score from both teams and adding in the handicap from Binton of five points, it was Home Guard who won 224-219.
There was another close match between Clifford and Avon in which visitor Bill Fleming was the first of three shooters to score 33 points for Avon, with the others being Alison McMillan and Steve Ray.
Jay Morris scored 33 for Clifford but Avon kept the pressure on to pull back the four handicap points given to Clifford with solid shooting from the whole team.
It was tight, but Avon pipped Clifford 222-221.
Binton B kept pace with Wilmcote so that, after three shooters, the scores were level at 96 each which included 34 from Adam Clarke (Wilmcote) and a career best 33 from Ian Powell (Binton B).
Wilmcote’s middle rank Lester Langford and Jamie Clarke both hit 34s but Binton’s accuracy tailed off. With a cushion of 22 handicap points, Binton emerged 231-229 winners.
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 and Lester Langford finished second. The evening raised £45 from a raffle, including the now famous special jar of pickled onions provided once again by Chris and Brenda Green of Binton B.
It was bought for £14 by Adam Clarke, whilst Jo Langford’s hand-crafted dog Christmas stockings raised £10 and the final total including entrance fees was £100.
