Billy Atkinson finally won his first senior individual trophy last night when winning the Wallasey Association, British Parks Merit Title at Marine Park. After a very close opening 21-19 victory against Dave Croston (Queens Royal), Billy was then involved in a titanic struggle with Vics team mate Eddie Clayburn in the quarter final. Eddie, bowling well enough to take an 18-16 lead, suddenly threw the jack off to let Billy in and sure enough Billy kept his nerve to run out a 21-18 winner. In the semi-final, Billy overcame Paul Saville (Queens Royal) before going on to beat another Queens Royal bowler, Colin Saville 21-12 in the final, which was completed in near darkness at 10-05 pm. Billy and Colin, who of course plays in the Vics Birkenhead League team, now go on to represent Wallasey in the British Parks National Finals next month at Bradford for a place in the Champion of Champions Tournament at the Waterloo in Blackpool. Congratulations to Billy after playing four games on the night, which was a testament to his fitness as well as his skill.
Afternoon “A” team skipper Billy Atkinson lost out to Tommy Bentley in the Final of the Birkenhead League “Ben Webster” trophy on Thursday for the second year in succession. In a tremendous final Billy missed out 19-21 after looking like he had bowled well enough throughout the day to finally take this trophy. Maybe it will be third time lucky for Billy next year in this competition.
Skipper Billy Atkinson led from the front again, to lead his side to a 63 shot win over Upton and get his team back in the title race last Wednesday. On a sunny afternoon and with the recuperating George Morgan making a welcome visit to watch the match, the Vics had a clean sweep of 10 winners with Billy Atkinson winning 21-06 to set the example to the rest of his team. Bernie Owen and Keith Etches followed up with a couple of comfortable 21-11 wins and Mally Johnson continued his recent fine form with a 21-12 victory. Bob Jones 21-14 and Elwyn Williams 21-15 piled on the pressure with good wins and Robby Franklin had a bit of a struggle before coming out on top 21-18. Despite 10 losers Upton put up a good fight and it needed maximum effort from Andrew Stratton, Eddie Clayburn and Peter Walker to come through tough times before all three eventually won 21-20. This victory was much needed for Billy and his team after the disappointing performance at Capenhurst and sees the Vics just 1 point behind Manor Road “A” at the top of the table. Nothing less than victory is required in the return on Wednesday afternoon this week to keep up the pressure at the top.