Can anyone stop Churchstoke?

As the Montgomeryshire and District Airgun League enters the final third of its season, the top three are heading for an exciting title chase with just six points between them.

And with just four points then separating fourth to seventh, there is little margin for error with plenty still to shoot for.

Llanfair Caereinion came out on top of the Banwy Valley derby when they were visited by Castle Caereinion. Dai Tom Williams threw down the gauntlet to Castle’s Richard Morgan, who replied in fine style, the two openers shooting 35.6 and 35.4 respectively. Llanfair maintained a lead and finished 194.6 to 192.0 to record their fourth win of the season.

A battle of the big-hitters took place when third-placed Arddleen hosted second-placed Guilsfield A, where a truly colossal match took place – no less than six possibles were scored (Sara Davies, Jack Francis, Martin Pearce and Richard Lewis for Arddleen, and Kieran and Chloe Cornell for Guilsfield A). The final score was an astounding 206.9 to 208.6, the scales tipping in visitors’ favour.

Crew Green A visited Forden, where they recorded a comfortable 196.7-180.9 win to go fourth.

A close six-shooter match at the Bowling Club saw a six-shooter Newtown edge past Guilsfield B 195.1 to 192.5. The home side started slowly, but as the league’s premier shooting family, the Corbetts, took to the oche in the lower order, the hosts edged to victory.

Unbeaten leaders, Churchstoke, played host to Crew Green B, and much talk of “smuggling peanuts” ensued. In between threads of this fascinating discussion some shooting took place, initially with the scoring firmly set in Churchstoke’s favour. However, despite a spirited last stand from Ian Brown and Joe Hilditch, Churchstoke prevailed.  The peanuts were never found!

Nine possibles were scored: Martin Pearce and Richard Lewis (Arddleen) and Owen Stimpson (Churchstoke) scored 35.3; Jack Francis and Sara Davies (Arddleen) and Richard Morgan (CC) scored 35.4; Kieran Cornell of GA scored 35.5; Chloe Cornell (GA) and Dai Tom Williams (LlC) scored excellent 35.6’s.  

Match of the week: The epic duel between heavyweights, Arddleen and Guilsfield A.

Shooter of the Week: Chloe Cornell, with her 35.6, takes the honours.