ALCESTER Bowling Club’s first match in Northfield League Division Three ended in a nine-shot defeat to Ye Olde Knowle, despite having home advantage.
Alcester collected just three points through winning cards from Ken Harvey (21-8), Jean Sherrington (21-11) and Helen McDermott (21-15), whilst the visitors gained eight points.
The South & West Birmingham Over 60s campaign got underway with a Division Seven match for the B team at Ye Olde Knowle D.
Having narrowly missed promotion last season, Alcester picked up where they had left off with a 14-shot victory. Red Masterson excelled for Alcester with a 21-9 win and more points came from David Hodgson (21-12) and Trish Barry (21-19) as Alcester earned nine points to the home side’s three.
In the new Yardley Wood Super League, both Alcester teams enjoyed successful starts to the season.
In Division Two, the A team visited British Oak B and came away with a narrow four-shot victory which, with the strange scoring system of the new league, gave them a massive 42-8 win.
Leading the way with superb cards were Ken Craddock (21-3) and Renny Bannister (21-9), whilst Jean Bannister (21-14) and Ken Harvey (21-19) put the icing on the cake.
In Division Four, the B team also had four winners in a 29-shot victory when entertaining Stoke Prior.
The ladies led the way for Alcester, with Carole Slater (21-6) and Jean Craddock (21-7) in stunning form, well supported by Val McDermott (21-15). The only male winner for Alcester was Rick Horton (21-12) as Alcester gained 28 points to the visitors’ 12.
The Heart of England League got underway for the A team, who welcomed Baldwin B to the Alcester green, and victory came the way of the home team by 30 shots, giving them 16 points to the visitors’ two.
Alcester winners were John Slater (excellent at 21-6), Jean Bannister and John Alderson (both 21-13), Dave Hovell (21-16) and Renny Bannister and Ken Harvey (both 21-18).
On May 7, from 2pm onwards, Alcester BC are holding their annual open day at the Meeting Lane green. Club members will be on hand to show visitors the ins and outs of crown green bowling. Just turn up with flat-soled shoes (trainers are ideal) to have a go.
