THERE was a friendly but competitive atmosphere at Binton Social Club last Tuesday when 14 shooters participated in the Stratford & District Airgun League’s Snap Shoot Challenge.
This competition requires shooters to not only be accurate but also quick on the trigger – needing at least three fours and two bulls, 22 points, with only one minute for the five shots to qualify for the final shoot-off.
Jamie Clarke, Paul Clingan, Alan Brookes and Andy Smith all qualified for the final round at their first attempt – Clingan and Brookes with scores of 23 out of a possible 25 – whilst Gareth Morris qualified at his second attempt.
Members of the Binton B team turned out en masse for the competition but, despite being on their home ground and despite several attempts, failed to qualify.
Clarke was first to shoot in the final and set the bar high with three clean bulls and a score of 24.3. Clingan and Brookes shot next but, with scores of 22 and 22.1, lost their chance of winning.
They were followed by Smith and Morris, both of whom shot 23.2, which gave them joint runner-up places.
However, it was Clarke who excelled on the night and won the competition for the second consecutive time.
Wilmcote went back to the top of the league after their win against Avon last Thursday.
Adam Clarke and Paul Clingan both shot possibles which contributed to Wilmcote’s total of 229 points. Alison McMillan was also in top form in shooting her fourth career possible and Steve Ray missed out on a possible when his third pellet hit the four. Avon finished on 221 points.
Binton A shot only fours and bulls with Andy Smith still top marksman this season after hitting his fifth possible. Will Cemis just missed out on a possible when his last pellet hit the four.
Home Guard were initially trailing in this match but, with possibles from Tim Stephens – his career-first – and Tom Morris, and 34s from Alan Brookes and Andy Morris, they won the match 234-229.
Avenue got off to a slow start against MEB but 34s from Alan Crichton, Paul Lowe and Steve Parrack brought them back into the game and helped secure a win with 221 points.
MEB only had a couple of loose threes and with only six shooters were handicapped from the start. Fred Williams and Paul Onions both shot 32s and Kath Williams 31 but MEB lost with 208 points.
In the match between Clifford and Binton B both sides had eight shooters and both had some loose threes.
Clifford’s Trevor Morris had the highest score in the match with 32 but so did Binton’s Ian Powell, Ben Chamberlain and Joe Powell who also shot 32s which gave Binton the edge.
After discounting the lowest of eight scores from each side, the final scoreline was a narrow 211-209 victory for Binton.
