The Vics Birkenhead League side completed their season last night at a wet and dark Tixall green by losing by 9 shots. Despite having 6 winners the Vics could not prevent Tixall from taking the 2 points. The Vics did enough however to take the aggregate point again. Skipper Ian Sherbrooke, who has done a tremendous job this season under the difficult circumstances of selecting from so few players, was the best of the Vics on the night with a good 21-12 win. Club Secretary Peter Dodd, continued his winning ways with a good 21-13 victory. Trevor Rodgers, back from his jaunt to the North East. won 21-15 and both Colin Saville and the affluent Neil Sherbrooke won 21-17. Colin’s experience has shown through in the second half of the season and he has been a welcome addition to the Club. Neil, after fleecing the bookies yet again, continued in his inimitable style, to win the majority of his games. Bernie Owen won a tight game 21-18 to complete the Vics list of winners. With Eddie Clayburn, Mike Skipworth and Crusher Sherbrooke (19) all well into double figures the match rested on Billy Atkinson, last on the green in almost total darkness, to try for the overall victory. Billy, unfortunately having to contend with a downpour as well, could only manage 19 and the Vics eventually lost by 9 shots. Not a bad season fot the Vics with a cup final and probable 6th place finish to show for their efforts. With the addition of a few new faces next season hopefully a higher league position can be attained.
Skipper Mally Johnson led the Vics Wallasey side to their 4th Championship in a row last night as the Vics beat 27 Club by 52 shots away from home. Mally in winning 21-01, ruthless in his use of the long game, ensured that there would be no surprise result to encourage Manor Road “A” playing on the next green. Anthony Thompson, hiding in the back four tonight, had an easy 21-04 win and there were comfortable wins also for Matty Gilmore 21-11, Robby Fitzpatrick 21-12 and Dave Gilmore 21-13. Billy Atkinson 21-16, Peter Dodd 21-17 and Ian Sherbrooke 21-18 all came through closer games as the Vics had 8 away winners on the night. Karl Sherbrooke, Neil Sherbrooke, Eddie Clayburn and Bernie Owen all played their part with double figure performances as the rain came down at Harrison Park. With 4 trophies in the bag now this season, the Vics will be all out to complete a clean sweep when they play Manor Road in the Presidents Cup Final on Saturday evening. Skipper Mally Johnson has to be congratulated for managing to keep the squad going throughout the season and if it is to be his last season as captain, as he is thinking of standing down next year, what better way to go than with a complete haul of all the trophies available.
The afternoon “A” team defeated Harrison Park “B” by 21 shots in yet another home victory on Wednesday. On an afternoon of mixed weather conditions, sun, rain, thunder and lightening, the Vics had a difficult match against a good Harrison Park side. Elwyn Williams continued his fine season with an easy 21-07 win and he was well backed up by Bernie Owen 21-14 and Billy Atkinson 21-15. Dick Peake won again 21-17 and with Dave Bosworth 21-18 and Eddie Clayburn 21-20 also winning close games the Vics ran out winners by 21. Ian Cameron 16, Ernie Peers 17, Mally Johnson 18 and Brian Ibbotson 19 were all involved in tight games without managing victory. A good win for the Vics but a tough game awaits in the away match next week.
The afternoon “B” team suffered a heavy 61 shot defeat at Wallasey R.B.L. on Wednesday when only C.K.Pau and Derek Thomas managed victories. C.K. and Derek both had hard fought 21-18 wins and with Harry Preston 19-21 and Lawrie Blackburn 20-21 the best of the rest the Vics struggled on the small Legion green on a stormy afternoon. This was a bad result for the Vics who had shown better away form in recent matches and a really good home performance next week is required if the aggregate point is to be won.
Neil Sherbrooke celebrated his £30 win in the League Draw on Sunday, with a blistering 21-08 win tonight in the delayed semi final of the Presidents Cup. The Vics Wallasey League side were also well served by a good win from Billy Atkinson, 21-12. With a 20 shot lead from the storm tossed 1st 8 blocks to defend, Bernie Owen 18-21 and Skipper Mally Johnson 20-21 did more than enough to see that there was no way back into the match for Sacred Heart. After conceding a 30 shot handicap the Vics ran out comfortable 37 shot winners overall. The Final is on Saturday 21st August at Quarry Bowling Club, New Brighton at 5-30pm. The Vics opponents will be Manor Road “A”, the only team to have beaten us this season in any competition. It was good to see plenty of support for tonights 4 players and this team spirit goes a long way to helping the Vics in their quest for a complete sweep of Wallasey League Trophies.
The Vics Birkenhead League side had a trio of 21-06 winners last night against Tixall in a 69 shot home victory. Dick Peake, finally playing a home game, Billy Atkinson and Mike Skipworth ( hopefully back to his true form ) all won as easily as the scores suggest on a slow Vics green. Eddie Clayburn yet again produced the goods with a great 21-07 win and Peter Dodd continued his fine run of form with a good 21-09 win. When the Vics lost 3 of the 1st 4 blocks it looked ominous but with Bernie Owen running out 21-14 from 06-14 down, Shergar winning 21-16 and Colin Saville winning 21-19 the Vics ended up with 8 winners. Dave Bosworth stepped in at the last minute and produced a good performance only going down 18-21 at the end. Hopefully we can take the final aggregate point if not win at Tixall next Friday in our final game of the season.
The publication of the current averages produced a startling response by the Vics Wallasey League side tonight, as they swept Gladstone aside by 141 shots. With a clean sweep of 12 winners and with 7 of them winning to single figures, the fight for top spot will go to the last game. Matty Gilmore led the way tonight with a magnificent 21-02 followed by Eddie Clayburn winning 21-04. Eddie is now proving to be very hard to beat at home and with more away experience will be a valuable addition to the squad. With three 21-05 winners in Dave Gilmore, Anthony Thompson and Robby Fitzpatrick, Gladstone were quickly too far behind to challenge the Vics. Shergar Sherbrooke 21-07 and the new veteran Robby Franklin 21-09 were the other Vics single figure winners. Robby Hall 21-11 and Billy Atkinson 21-12 were comfortable winners, which left Mally’s ” 3 rags ” Bernie Owen 21-15 ( now won 7 lost 4 ), Peter Dodd 21-16 ( won 9 lost 4 ) and Mally Johnson himself 21-20 ( won 7 lost 6 ) to provide the closest games of the night. I think ” rags ” might just be a bit harsh Skip !! After tonights results were in Anthony Thompson 2.28 ave continues to lead Matty Gilmore 1.99 ave and Dave Gilmore 1.89 ave at the top of the average table.
Club Chairman, Dave Bosworth bounced right back to form this afternoon with a blazing 21-08 win against Capenhurst “B”. Tony Ryding continued his fine form also winning 21-08 to take him to the top of the “B” team averages. The Vics took the aggregate point after defeating Capenhurst by 34 shots at home this afternoon with “That Old Vet” Robby Franklin having an easy 21-10 victory followed by an equally fine performance by Derek Thomas, a 21-11 winner. With Ian Cameron comfortably winning 21-12 and Lawrie Blackburn also on the winning end of a 21-16 scorecard the Vics 6 winners proved too many for Capenhurst. With the other Vics bowlers all into double figures the aggregate point was never in doubt as the Vics consolidate in mid table in division 3.
Peter Dodd, wanting a quick getaway to watch Tranmere Rovers, had a tremendous 21-01 win tonight as the Vics Wallasey side trounced Harrison Park by 93 shots at West Kirby. After a day of torrential early morning rain the Vics found the green to their liking as eleven winners were too much once again for Harrison Park. Dave Gilmore and son Matty continued their own private duel with both winning 21-09. Skipper Mally Johnson 21-11, and Billy Atkinson 21-12 also had easy victories. With Robby Hall 21-13 and two 21-14’s from Robby Fitzpatrick and Crusher Sherbrooke the Vics were altogether too strong for the valiant Park bowlers. Anthony Thompson and Ian Sherbrooke both weighed in with 21-16 wins and with Bernie Owen also winning 21-17 the Vics moved 6 points clear at the top of the table. Eddie Clayburn was the only Vics bowler to miss out tonight but hopefully will bounce back on Thursday against Gladstone. We could do with Tranmere playing more often if Doddy can play like this!!
The Wallasey League Presidents Cup semi final between the Vics and Sacred Heart has been postponed again on Wednesday. With Sacred Heart involved in another semi final on Wednesday the remaining 4 blocks to be played in the Presidents Cup will now take place on Monday 16th August at 7-00pm at the Vanser green in Central Park, Wallasey.