ALCESTER Bowling Club had a rather disappointing week as, although they had five wins for their eight teams, they marginally lost ground in their promotion-chasing efforts.
In Division Three of the S&W Birmingham Over 60s League, the A team had two matches. The first was the scheduled match away to Marston Green A where, with only John Alderson (21-18) able to produce a winning card, Alcester went down by 25 shots to a 9-1 defeat.
The second match was a rearranged home game against Small Heath AG. Again, John Alderson was successful, this time with a dominating 21-2 card. Renny Bannister was also in fine form with a 21-8 victory, backed up by Margaret D’Elia (21-11), John Slater (21-13) and Ken Craddock (21-14).
This gave Alcester a convincing 52-shot victory, picking up nine points to one for the visitors. Alcester stay fifth.
In Division Five the B team entertained Wythall B and produced a comfortable 40-shot success. Leading the way was Jean Craddock with a masterly 21-2 card, hotly pursued by Bob LeResche hardly less outstanding at 21-5.
Jean Sherrington (21-16) and Tricia Barry (21-17) also added wins to give Alcester an 8-2 success which lifts them into top spot.
For the second week running Alcester had wins for both teams in the Yardley Wood Superleague. The A team in Division Three were at home to Woodlands Park, with captain Val McDermott (21-5) and Mike Rowell (21-8) both in excellent form.
Renny Bannister (21-13), Ken Harvey (21-17) and Bob LeResche (21-19) all added points as they ran out winners by 27 shots to gain 15 points to three for the visitors, thus retaining second place.
Solitary away win
The B team travelled to Maggies B in Division Four and picked up the only away win of the week by a margin of 27 shots. Man of the match was John Willis with a perfect 21-0 card, which was backed up by fine performances by John Slater (21-6), Red Masterson (21-9) and Tricia Barry (21-10).
John Westmoreland (21-19) added a final win to give Alcester a 15-3 success. However, Alcester lost top place in the table to West Midlands Travel as the latter had two winning matches.
Despite excellent cards from Renny Bannister (21-9) and David Sutor (21-11) and narrow 21-20 defeats for both Carole and John Slater, Alcester went down to a 17-shot defeat in Division Two of the Heart of England League when they visited Hockley Heath A.
The 16-2 setback loses them a place in the table and they are now only one point above the relegation zone.
The B team had their second 40-shot home victory of the week when they faced Hall Green in Division Five. Red Masterson (21-4) was outstanding, but five more winning cards from Colin Duggan (21-9), Ken Harvey and Peter Barber (both 21-12), Mike Ryland-Jones (21-15) and Jean Sherrington (21-17) put the issue beyond doubt. Alcester stay in a mid-table fifth place after this 16-2 success.
In the over 60s section of the Heart of England League, the A team match at home to Woodbourne A in Division Two was rained off, but the team maintain third place.
The B team travelled to Triplex Kings Norton B where they suffered a 28-shot setback to their promotion hopes. Red Masterson (21-7) completed a personal trio of single-figure wins for the week, but this was the only bright spot for Alcester.
The 15-1 defeat drops Alcester to third place, just outside the promotion places.
