The afternoon “A” team put the disappointment of losing by 5 shots last week behind them, with an excellent 42 shot home win against Heswall RBL “A”. Elwyn Williams was the star of the show for the Vics with an emphatic display in a tremendous 21-01 win. Elwyn completely outbowled his opponent who found it hard to play the tricky Vics green on the day. Mally Johnson, taking advantage of a lucky draw according to his team mates, had an easy 21-08 win and Dick Peake and Bob Jones had brilliant 21-09 winning performances, both players taking to the pace of the green well. Eddie Clayburn continued his recent habit of not closing out his opponent quickly enough, when producing a convincing 21-14 win after being 20-08 up. Bernie Owen had a tremendous struggle before winning his match 21-20 to complete the Vics 6 winners on the day. Both Peter Walker and Billy Atkinson were also involved in really tough games before both went down 20-21. This was a good performance by the Vics who were once again left contemplating on the narrow away loss last week.
The Vics Wallasey League side finished their season in commanding fashion last night, with a 67 shot home victory over possible runners-up Manor Road “A”. On a green soaked by afternoon rain, the Vics were led off by Robby Franklin’s excellent 21-10 winning performance. Anthony Thompson retained the average trophy he won last year, with another fine display in a 21-11 win. Karl Sherbrooke had a comfortable 21-12 win even though he was on later than usual and the green was at its slowest. Robby Fitzpatrick and Trevor Rodgers both completed routine 21-13 victories and there were a trio of 21-14 wins for Bernie Owen, Ian Sherbrooke and Billy Atkinson. The last four matches all had 21-20 scorecards reflecting just how slow the green was last night, Matty Gilmore, undefeated in the league this season and Dave Gilmore both came out of tough matches winning 21-20. Unfortunately Eddie Clayburn and Neil Sherbrooke were on the receiving end of 20-21 cards even though Eddie was ahead 17-06 at one stage. Let’s hope Eddie can retain his concentration throughout his matches in the Isle of Man next week. Skipper Mally Johnson decided to stand down for this match but was delighted to see his team complete an undefeated league season as Champions again. Mally has once again done an excellent job as Captain this season and should be congratulated by everyone for keeping the Vics as the leading side in Wallasey bowls.
After the shambles at Burton’s last week, the Vics Wallasey League side were finally crowned Champions for a fifth consecutive year, when they had a 31 shot victory at Sacred Heart last night. Three close winning cards and four losing cards for the Vics, meant that the match was closer than skipper Mally Johnson wanted, before tremendous performances from Billy Atkinson and Eddie Clayburn finally confirmed the Vics triumph. Dave Gilmore 21-19 and Matty Gilmore 21-20 had to produce all their fighting ability to give the Vics a winning start and Bernie Owen, relishing playing on a green to his liking, ran out a good 21-16 winner. Robby Fitzpatrick, once again treating the fairer sex with disdain, had a fine 21-11 win and Robby Franklin was made to struggle all the way before eventually winning his game 21-18. With the match very close at this stage, Anthony Thompson showed he had no intention of relinquishing his position at the top of the averages, by giving a fine 21-10 winning display. Any chance Sacred Heart had of providing a shock result was halted by Eddie Clayburn, once again bowling superbly, when winning 21-10 and Billy Atkinson proving there is nothing wrong with his eye sight, when giving an imperial performance in near darkness with a commanding 21-06 victory, or so he tells us, no-one could actually see anything at the end!!! The Vics conclude their season at home to Manor Road “A” on Thursday but last nights result and the retaining of the Championship were what mattered most to skipper Mally Johnson. Mally understandably delighted with his team, will no doubt be shelling out some of his racing winnings to provide his team with some well earned celebration drinks on Thursday night.
After last week’s demoralising 53 shot loss away at Lever Club, when the Vics Birkenhead Evening League side had only 3 winners, Ian Sherbrooke 21-10, Trevor Rodgers 21-17 and Peter Dodd 21-18, hopes were high of reversing the scores last night in the Vics home fixture. With 6 winners to each side however, a close match culminated in the Vics coming out on top by just 5 points. Karl Sherbrooke caressed his way around the lightening fast green, to post a tremendous 21-09 win to set the Vics on the way to a chance of making inroads into the deficit from last week. Neil sherbrooke got over the shock of losing last week, with a commanding 21-12 win and Mally Johnson continued his late season form with a 21-17 victory. Robby Franklin, probably glad to get away from the Vets after Wednesday, returned to winning ways with a tough 21-19 victory. Colin Saville ended his Vics season with an even tighter 21-20 victory but it was left to last man , Billy Atkinson, to come up trumps for the Vics, when he had to win by at least 4 for the Vics to win. In near darkness and on a green 2 yards slower than at the start, Billy produced a wonderful 21-13 winning performance to see the Vics home. A close shave but a deserved victory in the end even though the aggregate point was lost. With 26 points this season some might say this was a disappointing year but with the limited squad available to the captain, I think the Vics aquitted themselves well and hopefully next season with everybody fit and well and maybe with one or two additions to the squad the Vics will have a better season.
There was chaos last night, as the scheduled Burton’s v West Kirby Victoria Wallasey Division One fixture failed to get under way with the non appearance of the Burton’s team. Burton’s Captain Jackie Lampkin said he could not raise a team to oppose West Kirby in what could have been the Title clinching fixture for the Vics. Having conceded the match to West Kirby last night, Burton’s will now have to explain to the Wallasey Association Executive Committee, why with 42 players registered with the Association and Burton’s “B” team without a scheduled fixture, they could not manage to fulfil this vital match. A decision as to the outcome of the result of the match will be made at the Wallasey Executive meeting on Wednesday next but in the meantime the Vics will have to attempt to clinch the title at the Sacred Heart green on Tuesday night.
The afternoon “C” team suffered a 49 shot loss at Magazine Hotel yesterday with only two winners on the day. On a baking hot afternoon down by the River Mersey, Bill Spraggett bounced back from last weeks disappointing reverse, to record an excellent 21-11 win. Skipper Eric Neal, after missing the last few games, was the only other Vics winner, managing a good 21-17 victory. Eddie Dodd and Bill Tottey with 16-21 scorecards and Chris Williams with an 18-21 card, were the best of the rest for the Vics who will need to produce a good performance next week in the return fixture to gather the extra point.
The afternoon “B” team had a crushing 74 shot home win against Port Sunlight Village yesterday with Brian Ibbotson the chief destroyer, winning 21-04 after a vintage display on the lightening quick West Kirby green. Keith Etches demonstrated his fast green skills with a comprehensive 21-07 win and Ernie Peers remained at the top of the averages with yet another fine victory, this time 21-08. Derek Thomas, with a confident 21-09 win, showed he is at home on a quick green and C.K.Pau continued to prove his undoubted ability, with a fine 21-10 victory. Dave Bosworth and Lawrie Blackburn both had fairly comfortable 21-15 wins to complete the Vics winners on the day and hopefully the side can gain confidence from this victory to take to Port Sunlight next week where a tricky green awaits them.
The Vics Afternoon “A” team had another disappointing loss away yesterday at Heswall RBL. With 5 winners each, it was the home team who managed the better cards, to record a very close 5 shot victory. This disappointing run of close away losses has seriously damaged the Vics title hopes this season and Skipper Billy Atkinson will need to review his options next season when deciding his squad. Eddie Clayburn and Dick Peake did all they could in the Vics challenge yesterday, with both recording excellent 21-10 wins. Andrew Stratton had a pleasing 21-14 victory and Mally Johnson managed a close 21-17 win on the very slick Heswall green. Skipper Billy Atkinson was involved in a titanic battle before eventually winning 21-20 and Peter Walker was just on the wrong end of a 20-21 scoreline after yet another determined display. Unfortunately with two 09-21 cards and a 12-21 card, the Vics could not do quite enough on the day to get a winning result. Next up is the Centenary Cup Semi -Final at Hoylake Marine on Monday, when the Vics have to give Gladstone a 20 shot start.
Billy Atkinson had a tremendous day at Davy Sports Club, Sheffield on Sunday in the British Parks Senior Individual Merit Championships. Having qualified as winner of the Wallasey Association British Parks Merit competition, Billy had to play 5 matches on the day before coming up against the Pre-tournament favourite, P.Wortholt in the Final. Billy gave his all as usual but the combination of tiredness and the fact his opponent was actually from South Yorkshire (the hosts of the competition) saw Billy eventually lose 13-21. Billy had bowled magnificently throughout the day and did himself, the Wallasey Association and the Vics proud in a high class competition.
Eddie Clayburn, proving to be a ruthless destroyer of the opposition, showed no mercy to his opponent last night when running out from 02-02 to post a scintillating 21-02 victory, as the Vics Wallasey League side stormed nearer to the title with an easy 106 shot home defeat of Parkfield. Eddie’s performances in the league this season have proved to be a bonus for skipper Mally Johnson in his relentless quest for yet another title for the Vics. “Crusher” Sherbrooke did what he does best at the Vics, with another crushing of his opponent, this time 21-03. Billy Atkinson, fresh from his heroics in the British Parks National Merit Finals, had an easy 21-05 win which was closely followed by Ian Sherbrooke’s equally easy 21-07 victory. Skipper Mally Johnson posted a fine 21-09 winning card just pipping Anthony Thompson’s 21-10 win. “Shergar” Sherbrooke came in next with a comfortable 21-12 win followed by Robby Fitzpatrick’s more difficult 21-15 victory. Matty Gilmore was made to struggle at times before coming out on top 21-16 and Robby Franklin, ever the gentleman, allowed his opponent to take a few liberties before he eventually triumphed 21-18. Bernie Owen and Dave Gilmore were the unfortunate Vics bowlers on the night posting 16-21 and 19-21 cards. With 3 games to go the Vics are on the verge of going through the League season undefeated.