WHITE Hart Crown Green Bowling Club began their Heart of England Division 2 campaign with a comfortable 145-93 home win over local rivals Stoke Prior A.
The club fielded three new signings and gained control of the match after a shaky start that saw Mick Perrins and Ian Humphreys lose the opening two matches.
However, David Mahaffey (21-8), Cameron Cutler (21-4) and Pete Davenport (21-5) all won their matches to show how valuable their inclusion will be for White Hart on Thursday evenings this season.
There were also wins for Steve Jones (21-14), Kirk Wright (21-14) and Neil Laxton (21-6) as White Hart eased to victory.
White Hart A booked their place in the third round of the S.W.Birmingham and District Over 60’s Cup with a 119-84 win over King George V/Police B at Woodlands Park.
Hart won five of the six ties as Wright (21-15), Perrins (21-15), Laxton (21-5), Mike Estell (21-12) and Graham Arnott (21-16) all claimed victory.
However, White Hart B were beaten 87-113 at The Maggies in the SWB Over 60’s League Division 3 despite wins for Neil Harrison (21-17), Tony Buckley (21-19) and captain Mike Hancock (21-14).
In the Warwick/Worcs Premier League Division 4 White Hart were no match for Moor Lane in their season opener as the hosts B Team accumulated a full house of 10 winners as Mike Estell recorded the visitors best score of 17.
Elsewhere, in the Yardley Wood Superleague Division 2, White Hart A were narrowly beaten on the notoriously difficult Kings Norton Ex-Service green despite having just two winners – Dave Kings (21-8) and Arnott (21-0).
Harts B team produced a fine showing at home to Bournville Sports in Division 4, having all eight winners in a 168-66 whitewash.
Elaine Meredith (21-7), John Meredith (21-2), Ged Dooner (21-8), Denis Turner (21-2) and captain Tony Buckley (21-5) all won to single figures and were supported by Harrison (21-16), Dave Edwards (21-14) and Malcolm Bird (21-12).
In the Heart of England Over 60’s Division 1 White Hart A could only muster two winners in a 86-120 defeat at Hockley Heath.
Arnott (21-19) and captain Estell (21-17) secured two away points from their first match of the season.
And in the Northfield and District Sunday League Division 2, White Hart A were too strong for Romsley amd Hunnington A, with six winners in their home match.
Estell (21-3), Paul Matthews (21-8) and Mike Hancock (21-9) all won to single figures whilst Wright (21-17), Perrins (21-13) and Laxton also contributed winning cards.
Lastly, the two B teams met at Romsley in Division 3 where Hart had four winners – Phil Hemming, Tony Buckley and Roger Broome all by 21-16 and Harrison by a comfortable 21-7 margin – in a narrow 130- 142 defeat.
