THE Roger Sutton Memorial Trophy headed back to south west Wales in the hands of English Open Champion and Welsh International Martin Myers.

Saturday's 'Sooty' shoot winner completed a hat-trick of wins by beating off stiff local opposition at Throckmorton CPSC.

The targets presented to the competitors over a six-stand layout were a mixture of Sporting clays.

The morning's south westerly breeze made for ideal conditions and the early cards from last year's winner Jim Ford and John Tarplee (37/50) ensured it was going to be a high scoring day.

Malcolm Pugh headed the early leader board (42/50) with Dave White in close attendance (41/50).

PL:18shot.jpg:Aiming high: Competitors and officials at Throckmorton keep a close eye on proceedings. Picture by LOUISE BARNSLEY

By mid-afternoon, with rain threatening, Myers had posted a leading score of 44/50. Chris Biddlecombe soon equalled that effort with Eddie Fernihough one target behind. Roy Gudrat posted 42/50 to equal Pugh in fourth place leaving the local talent in their wake.

As wind speed increased and direction shifted targets were made more difficult and this was the time for the top shots to progress up the leader board.

White increased his tally to 43/50 and Phil Smith returned 42/50. Late in the day, Myers, oblivious to the conditions, put in the winning score of 45/50, while also seeing two targets missed on an Incomer skipping on the wind and a left to right crosser.

Worthy winner

One clay missed on the Skeet high house stand saw Myers a worthy winner.

It was left to Allen Warren, fresh from his recent success at the Bisley Grand Prix Olympic Skeet shoot, to award the trophy to Myers. Runner-up was Biddlecombe with Fernihough and White equal third.

The ladies prize was a three-way fight between host club members Pat Smith and Jackie Cotton with Jenny Williams trying to spoil the party.

As the competition became tense it was Smith's experience that saw her through to a win with a score of 31/50. Williams was second and Cotton third.

Young guns

The junior competition was the closest of the day with three young guns separated by a single target.

The Welch brothers from Badsey - Anthony and Andrew - had a fierce battle with Throckmorton member Simon Jones.

With scores of 26/50, Andrew Welch and Jones were level pegging but it took a fine 27/50 from Anthony Welch to wrench the first prize from his rivals.

The Pool stand competition was a boost to home club moral with club members Stuart Emms and Jim Ford going head-to-head with stalwart Geoff Pearson. With three maximums recorded, the shoot-off saw Pearson emerge victorious. Emms was runner-up, while Ford took third

The event supported by Clay Pigeon Co.Ltd. Crown Inn (Peopleton), Ferry Fast Ltd., Home Farm Nurseries, Litts, March Hare Leisure Centre, Royal Worcester Porcelain, Smart Cut Ltd., Spadwicks, Spearhead Machinery Ltd., Tarcal Ltd., Worcestershire Game Farm, and Individuals:- Mr R. Ford, Mr M. Gartland, Mr A. Jeavons, Mr R. Wellavize and Mr B.Stewart, raised in excess of £1000 for local charities.