ALCESTER Bowling Club’s crown green A team were victorious in the semi-finals of the Yardley Wood Consolation Cup against Grasshopper on the usual four players at home, four away basis.
In this match the normal home advantage did not seem to apply, as Alcester’s home four struggled, before finally going down by five shots. Alcester’s winners were John Alderson (21-16) and Bob Le Resche (21-17).
The away four really pulled the match out of the fire, as the quartet all produced winning cards to win by 32 shots. Ken Craddock performed brilliantly to win 21-6, with John Slater (21-11), Ken Harvey (21-16) and Renny Bannister (21-19) all bowling well.
The 27-shot victory overall gives Alcester a place in the final against Hall Green A.
League action in the Heart of England League saw Alcester A travel to Kings Norton Ex-Service in Division Two. Chasing promotion, Alcester went down to a 45-shot defeat on this difficult green, gaining just three points themselves whilst conceding 15 to their opponents.
Alcester winners were Jean Bannister (21-13), Peter Barber (21-17) and John Alderson (21-18).
In Division Five Alcester’s B team strengthened their hold on second place with a narrow three-shot victory at home to Bournville Sports, which gave a disproportionate 14 league points for Alcester, whilst the visitors gained just four.
Alcester’s winners were Margaret D’Elia with an excellent 21-8 card, Val McDermott and Dave Hovell (both 21-14) and Jean Craddock (21-17).
The over 60s section brought a home fixture in Division One for Alcester A, who hosted Ye Olde Knowle A, and once more the Heart of England points system was called into question as Alcester’s narrow five-shot win gained them 13 league points against three for the visitors.
Alcester’s winning cards came from Renny Bannister (21-15), Carole Slater (21-16) and Ken Craddock (21-18), but credit should be given to Jean Bannister, who recovered well from 4-15 down before finally succumbing 18-21.
The B team, topping the table in Division Six, visited Co-Op C and continued their march to promotion with a 23-shot success.
Star of the week for Alcester was Christine Anderson with a brilliant 21-2 card, with David Hodgson in full support with a superb 21-8 win. Also adding points for Alcester were Margaret D’Elia (21-13) and Val McDermott (21-16).
The final match of the week was a rearranged Northfield Division Two game at home to Black Horse A which produced a thrilling one-shot win for Alcester, who gained seven league points against four for the visitors.
Alcester winners were Ken Harvey (21-9), Renny Bannister (21-11), Bob Le Resche (21-12) and John Alderson (21-15).
