WHITE Hart Crown Green Bowling Club’s A teams achieved satisfactory results from their two matches last weekend.
In the Warwick and Worcs League, Hart were beaten 185-146 at Yardley Wood Social but crucially gained four points from the match which guaranteed the club will remain in Division Four next season.
Paul Matthews (21-17) and Kirk Wright (21-18) secured two points from the first session of games before Mike Estell and Neil Laxton (both 21-12) ensured Hart finished the season in seventh position – seven points clear of relegation.
The following day, Hart travelled to Black Horse for a crucial Northfield and District Sunday League Division Two encounter with both teams involved in the end-of-season promotion race.
At the halfway stage, the visitors had just one winning card (Laxton 21-8) and were 71-63 behind on the scoreboard.
However, victories for Ian Humphreys (21-18), Cameron Cutler (21-11) and David Mahaffey (21-10) in the second session gave them a fine 142-131 win.
Hart require just three points from the return match at home this weekend to secure promotion to the top flight next season.
White Hart B were beaten 148-128 by Weoley Casle WMC in Division Three despite achieving four winning cards from Malcolm Bird (21-12), John Meredith (21-15), Jack Livingstone (21-18) and Roger Broome (21-19).
In the Heart of England League Division Two, White Hart A slipped to a 167-108 defeat at Marston Green A with promotion to the top flight already secured.
Hart were without two of their regular bowlers and could only manage a single victory from Mahaffey (21-20) on a green that had been saturated in parts from a heavy shower during the afternoon.
The Redditch club need six winners from the return tie to wrap up the title.
In the Heart of England Over 60’s League, White Hart A produced a competitive showing at College Arms in Division One in a 96-85 defeat.
Estell (21-9), Laxton (21-7) and Wright (21-17) earned three points from the fixture which has all but secured their top-flight status next season.
However, White Hart B look certain to be relegated to Division Three after a 121-87 defeat at home to Colebrook A as captain Gill Croft (21-16) produced their only winning card.
In the S.W.Birmingham and District Over 60’s League Division One, White Hart A ended their campaign with a 119-93 home defeat against champions Moseley CC A with Wright (21-14) their only winner.
Hart were already relegated before the final match and gave first time outings to Meredith, Croft and Tony Buckley who all performed well in defeat.
White Hart B claimed a 105-92 victory at Solihull RBL in Division Three to secure their place in the league next season having flirted with relegation for much of the campaign.
Hart made the perfect start courtesy of Graham Arnott’s (21-0) whitewash before Sheila Humphreys (21- 20), Laxton (21-18) and captain Mike Hancock (21-12) gave the Redditch club 10 points from the match.
