Robby Franklin, with a faultless display tonight, had a brlliant 21-07 victory for the Vics Birkenhead League side in their 47 shot home win against Lever Club. Peter Dodd, displaying some of the form he can produce at times, also had a tremendous 21-09 win as the Vics sought revenge for last weeks heavy defeat away from home. With Neil Sherbrooke 21-10 and Bernie Owen 21-11, comfortably winning their respective games, the Vics at one stage looked as if they might be able to pull back the 69 shots lost at Lever. Mally Johnson 21-14, Trevor Rodgers 21-16 and Karl Sherbrooke 21-17 kept up the pressure with good victories and when Eddie Clayburn produced the best result of his short bowling career, a 21-20 victory over Mick Andrews, the Vics had managed to win the match by 47 shots. Not enough for the aggregate score but with Mike Skipworth, Colin Saville and Ian Sherbrooke all in double figures and Billy Atkinson just pipped to 20, this was a much improved performance by the whole Vics team and a welcome 2 points. With our remaing 2 matches against teams well below us in the table, we might be able to finish the season off in style. Captain Ian Sherbrooke has done a tremendous job in keeping the team near the top end of the table with only a very limited number of players to choose from and hopefully with a few new faces next season a top four finish will not be beyond us.
Ernie Peers had a majestic 21-02 victory this afternoon when the afternoon “C” team reversed last week’s defeat against closest challengers Bronze “B”. The aggregate point gained in today’s victory could prove crucial at the end of the season. John Davies rolled back the years with an equally impressive 21-04 and John Dodd also strolled to victory with a 21-06. Ken Bidwell continued on his unbeaten run with an emphatic 21-08 win matched by Eddie Dodd in another superb display. Stan Evans defying the years, won 21-09 and Bill Tottey completed the Vics domination of the Bronze with a good 21-16 win. Andy Fergus, C.K.Pau and Sid Dutton all scored in the high teens as the Vics ran out victors by the impressive margin of 83 shots.
The afternoon “C” team have been hit by the loss of 5 points, in their quest for the 5th division title because of the withdrawal of Bromborough Recs from the league. As we have already beaten Bromborough home and away the results are now expunged and therefore the lead at the top of the table is now only 1 point over Bronze “C”. This afternoon’s clash between the two teams is now of vital importance with the aggregate point being vital for the Vics should they recover from last weeks reversal at Bronze.
Lenny Sherbrooke continues to recover in Clatterbridge Hospital from his recent illness and is in fact being allowed home for a weekend visit this weekend. Once again all our best wishes for a complete and speedy recovery go to Lenny.
Please note that from next Monday all evening fixtures will start at 6-15pm.
Tuesday’s scheduled fixture at Home to Harrison Park in the Wallasey League has been rearranged for Tuesday 10th August at 6-15pm. This fixture had to be rearranged because of the clash with the Presidents Cup semi final.
The Wallasey League Presidents Cup semi final between West Kirby Victoria and Sacred Heart will be held at Vanser ’s green in Central Park Wallasey on Tuesday 3rd August with a 6-15pm start. We have to give Sacred Heart a 30 shot advantage because of the handicapping system.
Karl Sherbrooke continued his impressive displays at his favourite away green last night, with an emphatic “crushing” of his opponent, 21-04. The Quarry Vikings green at New Brighton was a bit slower than normal but this made no difference to Karl or “Buzz” as Anthony Thompson also had an easy 21-08 win to keep out in front at the top of the averages. Billy Atkinson after winning for the “A” team 21-07 in an afternoon cup tie, continued with a fine 21-09 victory tonight. The Vics had three 21-11 winners in Robby Fitzpatrick, Robby Franklin and Matty Gilmore, who managed to pip dad Dave by 1 shot tonight with Dave winning 21-12. Neil Sherbrooke was the Vics 8th and final winner of the evening with a 21-16 victory and the only real surprise was Robby Hall’s 1st defeat for the Vics, when he went down to a fine display from Paul Partridge. This victory by 64 shots continues to pile pressure on Manor Road and Queens Royal at the top of the table.
The afternoon “A” team travelled to Capenhurst this afternoon confident of securing the aggregate point but met with disaster when the last Capenhurst bowler managed the 6 shots required for his team to beat the Vics by 48 shots, having lost last week by 47. With only three winners the Vics did not have enough big scores to grab the extra point and left Ellesmere Port a bit shellshocked at the end of the match. Elwyn Williams 21-19 and Robby Franklin 21-20 were good winners for the Vics but with only Bernie Owen 20-21 really posting a big score amonst the rest of the team , it was down to last man Billy Atkinson to try and rescue the situation whilst keeping his opponent down to just 4 scoring shots. Billy put on a superb display and was in fact 17-03 at one stage but his opponent managed the 6 shots required with Billy gaining a valiant 21-06 victory. To lose the aggregate after such a good home performance last week was a sickener for the whole team but there is a cup quarter final tomorrow to look forward to.
The afternoon “B” team gained the aggregate point this afternoon in a fine 32 shot victory over league leaders Cammell Laird at West Kirby. C.K. Pau starred with a sweep winning 21-08, with Don Ibbotson following in just behind with a good 21-09 victory. Derek Thomas piled on the pressure with a convincing 21-10 and with Chris Williams 21-14 and Tony Ryding 21-15 winners the Vics were well in control of the match. Lawrie Blackburn weighed in with a 21-17 and Bill Powell made it 7 winners for the Vics with a hard fought 21-20 victory. Stan Ridgway, Bill Tottey and Bill Spraggett all played their part in an encouraging display by the “B” Team which augurs well for the remainder of the season.