A SINGLE target was the margin of failure for Stuart Emms who was trying to complete the clean sweep at Throckmorton last Sunday.

A solitary clay was the difference between top spot and second position on the Sporting Layout. Missing five targets on the 50-bird sporting layout relegated Emms to the runners- up berth.

The battle between Emms, John Tarplee and Alan Ayres ebbed and flowed during the morning as a strong southerly breeze played havoc with aerial targets and it was club captain Tarplee who mastered the conditions to claim top gun.

On the Skeet layout, competitors experienced some unusual targets as the breeze bounced the clays about.

It was the finely honed shooting skills of Emms who recorded the only maximum on the layout.

In his wake, a single target missed by Dave Coe, Frank Harrison and Brian Smith resulted in scores of 24/25, while a further target behind was junior member Simon Jones and seniors Tony Smith, Norris Dolphin and Cliff Hawkes (23/25).

The Down the Line Layout saw a close competition between Emms and Tony Smith who both recorded maximums.

With one second barrel hit, Emms (25/25 = 74/75) edged ahead, leaving Smith in second position after having three second barrel hits (25/25 = 72/75).

Visitor Dave Hart, for the final positions on the leader board, divided club members Brian King and John Ford. King and Hart tied with 24/25 = ex 71/75 with club stalwart Ford posting 24/25 = 68ex75.

Results - Skeet: S Emms 25/25; D Coe, F Harrison 24/25, Brian Smith 24/25 (2); S Jones, T Smith, Norris Dolphin, C Hawkes 23/25.

DTL: S Emms 25/25 = 74/75; B King , D Hart 24/25 = 71/75; J Ford 24/25 = 68 ex 75.

Sporting: J Tarplee 46/50; S Emms, A Ayres 45/50; D Lindup 33/50.

The next event is the Wyvern Trophy shoot at the Royal Oak on Sunday. Team members only.

The next home shoot is on Tuesday, May 20.