IT WAS a disappointing week for Alcester Bowling Club with only four wins out of nine matches played, albeit two of the defeats were by narrow margins.
In Division Three of the Northfield League, Alcester gained a creditable home win against Kings Norton by 12 shots. Jean Bannister (21-0) and John Alderson (21-1) were both in brilliant form, with wins also for Ken Harvey (21-9) and Renny Bannister (21-16) to give the hosts a 6-4 success.
High spots of the week were in the S&W Birmingham Over 60s League. In Division Six the A team, having gained promotion the previous week, produced a 24-shot win at Woodlands A to clinch the title.
Superb winning cards for Alcester came from Ken Craddock (21-6) and Ken Harvey (21-8), whilst John Slater (21-15) and Jean Bannister (21-19) also added points.
In Division Seven, the B team clinched promotion with a 50-shot home win against Woodlands B. Trish Barry was excellent at 21-5, as was Geoff Spiers at 21-9, with further winning cards from Jean Craddock and Margaret D’Elia (both 21-12) and David Hodgson (21-13).
The 9-1 victory keeps Alcester in top spot in the division.
A 14-shot defeat at Yardley Wood Social Club made promotion from Division Two of the Yardley Wood Superleague unlikely for Alcester A.
It was a heartbreak evening as three Alcestrians lost 21-20, with only Dave Hovell (21-14) and Ken Craddock (21-19) recording wins. The 32-6 setback drops Alcester to fourth place in the table.
In Division Four, the B team also dropped to fourth place as a result of a six-shot home defeat to Ye Olde Knowle B. Although Red Masterson carded an excellent 21-7 win and Jean Sherrington (21-13), Val McDermott (21-15) and Gill Evans (21-19) also won, promotion became most unlikely as a result of this 42-8 defeat.
The A team in Division Two of the Heart of England League also suffered a setback to their promotion chances with a 21-shot disappointment at Maggies B.
Winning cards from Ken Craddock (excellent at 21-7), John Slater (21-14), Brian Lees (21-15) and John Alderson (21-18) gave Alcester four points against the home side’s 14.
Although this defeat drops Alcester to second place, promotion to Division One remains a real possibility.
The second narrow defeat of the week came in Division Four as the B team lost by four shots to visitors Triplex. Alcester had winners in Margaret D’Elia (21-14), Jean Sherrington (21-15) and Red Masterson (21-16), but dropped to fifth place as a result of this 15-3 defeat.
In the over 60s section of the Heart of England League, there was a heavy defeat in Division One for the A team on their visit to table-topping Moseley Cricket Club A.
With no winning cards, Alcester slumped to a 67-shot deficit and almost certain relegation from the top flight.
In Division Five, the B team recorded the biggest win of the week in putting Woodlands A to the sword by 58 shots.
The 15-1 success lifted them into top spot, giving them every hope of promotion. Alcester’s winners were Margaret D’Elia (brilliant at 21-2), Jean Craddock and David Hodgson (both 21-9), Trish Barry (21-11) and John Willis (21-15).
Only Geoff Spiers missed out as he recorded the Alcester club’s fourth 21-20 defeat of the week.
