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.