Churchstoke clinch title

As the Montgomeryshire Airgun League heads towards its final week, shooters again showed they are in top form despite the long season, with Churchstoke confirming their title with another impressive win.

Closest rivals, Guilsfield A, were the visitors knowing they had to win to keep the season alive, but they came up against a formidable Churchstoke team which maintained its unbeaten record with a 203.3-199.2 win. Jane Thomas opened the scoring with a fine 35.4, a score which was equalled by Paul Gwilliam as the hosts recorded two possibles, while Az Knight replied with a 35.3 of his own for Guilsfield, who can finish second with a win in their final game.

With Churchstoke confirmed as champions, there are still places to play for from the 28-week long season which has witnessed some top class performances.

In the pen-ultimate round of action, Guilsfield B beat Forden 198-186.5, while a close match between Crew Green A and Castle Caereinion saw the hosts pip their visitors to the win, with GCA captain Edward Kelton scoring his third possible (score of 35.0 or over) in three matches. The final scores was 199.2-198.5 – a narrow win for CGA that will surely secure sixth place in the table.

Crew Green B won by the skin of their teeth at Newtown, 197.7-197.4 with a win on the very last shot. Team supremo, Don “Corleone” Corbett, recorded the sole possible of the match, a 35.1.

Llanfair Caereinion shot well above their average (192.5 at this point in the season) to record a score of 197.5 against six-shooter Arddleen. It was not enough though to beat the former league champions; captain, Richard Lewis, and league president, Martin Pearce, scored 35.6 and 35.5 respectively to seal the match for Arddleen.

Seven possibles were scored by league shooters during these fixtures:

35.1 – Don Corbett, Newtown

35.3 – Az Knight, GA

35.4 – Jane Thomas and Paul Gwilliam, Churchstoke

35.5 – Martin Pearce, Arddleen and Edward Kelton, CGA

35.6 – Richard Lewis, Arddleen

Shooter of the week – Edward Kelton provided us all with a fine example of continued excellence with his third 35 in three matches. Doing this whilst also captaining his team earns him the well-deserved accolade of shooter of the week.

Match of the week – This can only be the title-deciding Churchstoke vs. Guilsfield A fixture.