Guilsfield enter New Year top

Guilsfield A enter the New Year top of the Montgomeryshire and District Airgun League following a dramatic Christmas showdown at early pace setters Arddleen.

The match highlighted the quality of the local shooters as the top exchanged blows all the way through to the final shot of the match.

First blood went to Arddleen with Andy Lawrence gaining the finest of margins against Dave Knight, 35.4-35.3. But as the match progressed, high scoring from both teams put this contest on a knife edge with Guilsfield gaining a slight advantage.

Arddleen’s sixth shooter Martin Pearce regained the lead to give his side a 0.1 lead going into the final match. And with Richard Lewis shooting a tremendous 35.5 it seemed in the bag for the hosts, but Roger Knight recorded a perfect score of 35.7 to take the match by just 0.1, 209.7-209.6, to see Guilsfield A leapfrog Arddleen at the top.

Crew Green B stunned the mighty Churchstoke 205.2-203.9 to show that there are no easy games for the top three this season. Solid performances from Churchstoke's Jane Thomas and Owen Stimson of 35.0 points were good but they were no match for Crew Green’s 'Brothers Hilditch' Adam and Joe who scored 34.9 and a superb 35.6. The result put a dent in Churchstoke’s hops of a third successive league title.

Guilsfield B travelled to Newtown and were rewarded with a win 201.4-200.9, despite the talented young Tabby Corbett of Newtown scoring an amazing 35.6. But on the night it was Guilsfield's consistency that won through with Darren Edwards notching up 35.2. This match saw father and son, Aled and Jake Evans, pitted against one another, and after a close start it was young Jake who looked to have the better of his father but in the end it was Aled’s experience which won the day with the close contest ending 34.7-33.7.

Castle Caereinion took the win in Llanfair 202.9-199.4. Ex international Dai Tom Williams was once again on form for Llanfair posting a solid score of 34.3, but top of the list was Castle’s Richard Morgan who put down yet another possible score 35.2.

After last week’s high, an in form Crew Green A were almost toppled at up and coming Forden. Crew Green managed to hang on 199.6-197.2. A solid performance from the home side Forden was topped by opener Dave Riley (34.3), but consistent shooting from Crew Green saw Edward Kelton close out the contest with 34.8.