Shooters launch New Year
The league table remains reasonably stable, as do the team average scores. The second half of the season can see attrition rates rising as the pressure builds, and it will be interesting to see if teams and individual shooters can maintain their form as the schedule continues.
Churchstoke made their first visit to Crew Green A’s new home in Llandrinio, managing to keep up their run of wins. The home side succumbed 190.7 to their visitors’ 201.0 in a very jovial, good natured match in a welcoming venue. Churchstoke’s Paul Gwilliam led the scoring with his 35.2 and led a concerted attack on the excellent sandwiches provided.
Having a six-shooter squad seems to be the way forward for Llanfair Caereinion, with Nick Lloyd’s team securing their third win of the season when they shot at home against opponents Forden. Their final tally was 192.6 to Forden’s 190.2; a special mention going to Dai Tom Williams who scored a perfect 35.7. To do so takes huge reserves of skill, tenacity and a cool head – hearty congratulations are due.
There were two 35.s scored when Guilsfield B hosted rivals Castle Caereinion. One for P Edwards (GB, 35.1) and one for R Williams (CC, 35.4) in Castle’s win over their hosts. The final scores were 193.8 to Guilsfield B and 201.1 to Castle Caereinion. Having not one but two 35’s scored in one match always reflects well on the teams and showcases the quality of shooters we are fortunate to have in this league.
Guilsfield A had their work cut out to beat Crew Green B; half a point separated them at the close of the match and the pressure was on Guilsfield A’s Roger Knight to score at least five points with his last shot to cinch it. Ultimately he left the paint on the target untroubled, scoring a clean 5.1 to seal it for his team. It was a high-scoring match (202.4-201.9) in which the young blades showed their more senior shooters how it is done, with Az Knight scoring 35.3 for Guilsfield A and the Hilditch brothers - Adam and Joe - opening and closing the match with 35.4’s. If two 35’s per match is a good result, then three must be indicative of a humdinger of a contest.
When Arddleen visited Newtown, it was again the youngsters who showed the old(er) hands the way, with Jack Francis making 35.3 for Arddleen and Tabitha Corbett scoring 35.2 for the hosts. Arddleen’s track record saw them overcome their hosts by the comfortable margin of 192.5 points to 203.8.
One might have expected the festive season to have weighed heavy on the League’s shooters but the evidence shown in the scoring indicates otherwise. Possibles were scored in every single match with three matches containing two or three such scores – the New Year has seen shooters laying down their markers and making further statements of their intent.
At this point, one would have to say that all the signs point to this season being yet another in league’s run of vintage seasons; every team is shooting well, the tables are tight and there is a long way to go before the final league matches are shot on the April 19.
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