The afternoon “A” team had a clean sweep of ten winners yesterday against Manor Road “B” to complete an 80 shot win and keep them well in the hunt for the title at this early stage of the season. Skipper Billy Atkinson, ruthless as ever, kept up his winning start to the league season, with a comprehensive 21-05 win. Dick Peake, showing the benefit from regular evening bowls, cruised to a 21-07 victory closely followed by a pair of easy 21-09 victories for Eddie Clayburn and Bernie Owen. Bob Jones, playing more games for the various Vics teams than he thought when joining the club, had a welcome 21-15 win as did Robby Franklin. Mally Johnson had a 21-16 win and there was a good win for Keith Etches in a tight game, Keith winning 21-17. Elwyn Williams was made to fight all the way in his 21-18 victory and Andrew Stratton continued his unbeaten start to the league season with a very close 21-19 win. 80 shots should be sufficient for the aggregate point next week but skipper Billy Atkinson will be demanding nothing less than an away win in his quest to drive the Vics towards the title.
The afternoon “C” team, once again a much changed line-up, went down to a 42 shot defeat at Poulton yesterday despite many good performances on the day. Even though we only had two winners, there were close games in 5 of the other 8 games. Bernie Davies, showing good form again for the Vics, won 21-13 and Reg Armitage also had a good win 21-15. There were close games for Eric Neal and Ernie Peers before both lost 16-21 and there were a trio of 17-21 losses by Bill Spraggett, Paul Lomax and Eddie Dodd. 42 shots might seem a lot but the Vics will be hopeful of gaining revenge and the extra point at home next week. Skipper Eric Neal is finding it really hard to field anything like a settled 10 players as “B” team calls for his players through illness etc. are disrupting his selection. A couple of good home wins will see the Vics climb the table soon.
There was a close defeat for the afternoon “B” team today as they went down by 9 shots at Oxton”B”. In a much improved away performance, the Vics had 5 winners on the day. Ernie Peers led the way today with a good 21-12 victory, closely followed by the in-form Derek Thomas, who won 21-13. Lawrie Blackburn had a good 21-17 win and Reg Armitage won a tight game 21-18. Ian Cameron had a titanic tussle, triumphing 21-20 eventually, to complete the Vics winners on the day. Paul Lomax and Dave Bosworth gave good performances before both lost 17-21 and C.K.Pau went down 19-21 after another good display. Hopefully the Vics will capitalise on this showing in the return match next week and claim a much needed aggregate point.
The afternoon “B” team went down to a 21 shot defeat at Burton’s on Friday afternoon to lose the aggregate point by 16 shots. With only 3 winners for the Vics they did well to keep the scorline as low as it was. Peter Walker starred for the Vics, with an easy 21-09 win and acting skipper Derek Thomas followed suit by winning 21-16. Brian Ibbotson had a tight game, eventually coming out on top 21-19 but that was it as regards winning cards on the day. There were plenty of close calls for the Vics with both Ian Cameron and Lawrie Blackburn managing 17-21 scores and Paul Lomax making it to 18-21. Andrew Stratton had a good game before going down 19-21. These are tough times for the Vics afternoon “B” and “C” teams with both sides having to constantly change personnel because of illness and holidays. With settled sides much improved performances will surely follow.