The Trojans win to keep their faint title hopes alive

THE TROJANS went into their rearranged Hinckley Air Rifle League match at the home of Ashby Road ‘B’ knowing that anything less than a win would kill their already faint hopes of depriving the Sporting Lions of the league title.

Jon Storer got the match under way with a 28 for the home side, but this was the best the first half had to offer with the only other notable score being Rikki Hammersley’s 26. The response from the visitors was much more assured with Nigel Jackson’s 26 being joined by the 27s of Dave Brown and Rob Forman, and Phil Hood’s 30 to give the visitors a strong lead at the halfway stage. Ashby Road had a slightly better second half thanks to the 28s of Martyn Wood and Mike Sansome, but both totals, the 183 in the regular match and the 10 points in the Bernard Yates Trophy match, looked more than a little vulnerable. Leigh Hall’s 29 gave the Trojans’ second half an excellent start and this, together with Mark Smith’s 26, and the 27s of Mark Horsler and Chris Sills, gave the visitors an easy win in the regular match with 193, whilst just edging ahead in the Yates match with 11 points.

As comfortable as the league win was it may not have been enough for the Trojans’ title aspirations as, whilst a win in their final match against the table-topping Lions could still win them the league, the two teams’ averages are such that the winning margin would need to be 30 or more, an unlikely prospect given the strength of the Lions’ squad.

Hinckley Phoenix and the Hounds completed their league seasons by shooting their outstanding match at the former’s home venue, Hinckley Working Men’s Club.

The Hounds started the contest well as Claire Barnes kicked off with a 28 that was followed by Lee Foskett’s 26, and further 28s from Faye Orme (her best score of the season) and Mason Gillingham.

However, Hinckley Phoenix matched this level as their first half responded with Luke Bown’s 26; the 27s of Roxy Ratheram, Craig Bown, and Woody Newbold; and Karen Bown’s 29. The Hounds maintained their form in the second half as Roy Pritchard’s 26; and the 28s of Harlie McKeown, Paul Griffin, and Paul Huddlestone took their regular match total to 194. The home side couldn’t quite match this as they finished on 191 thanks to Mick

Edwards’ 26, Colin Rusted’s 27, and Ian Ratheram’s 28. However, they did maintain their unbeaten record in the Bernard Yates Trophy, the teams finishing level on 14 points apiece.