West Kirby Victoria Bowling Club

Whether it be Birkenhead League, Afternoon League or as last night the Wallasey League, when West Kirby Victoria take on Manor Road the result is the same, another win for the Vics. It was the turn of Mally Johnson’s big guns last night to storm Manor Road and come away with a familiar result this season, this time a 37 shot victory for the Vics and valuable away points. The Vics big stars produced the goods again with Matty Gilmore, bowling superbly, winning 21-08, Robby Hall, showing undoubted class, winning 21-11 and both Robby Fitzpatrick and Dave Gilmore, stamping their authority, to win 21-12, setting the Vics on the road to success again. Robby Franklin, not quite rampant but near enough, won 21-12, Eddie Clayburn won a tough encounter 21-16 to record 5 wins out of 5 against Manor Road for him this year, Craig Borbeneaux, proving to be a more than useful addition to the team this season won 21-17 and Ian Sherbrooke, who always seems to win every game, came off a 21-18 winner to continue the onslaught for the Vics as Mally Johnson contemplates his line-ups for next weeks two matches against Number 1 opponents Queens Royal in the Harold Jones Cup on Tuesday and in the League on Thursday. This Wallasey side is even stronger than the team that have won the title for the last 5 seasons and the Vics must be favourites to complete a 6th title on the run and set the seal on Mally Johnson’s reign as Captain.

Skipper Derek Thomas was understandably delighted with his afternoon “B” team on Wednesday, when 9 winners from 10 blocks added up to a 90 shot win and the aggregate point against Royden Hall at West Kirby. On a wonderfully sunny and hot afternoon, the Vics set about trying to gain their first extra point of the season, with all four winners from the first four blocks. Dave Bosworth and Ernie Peers were both in sublime form in coming off excellent 21-08 winners. Paul Lomax had a very tough 21-19 victory and C.K.Pau shrugged off his back injury to record his first victory of the season with a marathon 21-20 win. Eddie Dodd showed the advantage of practically living on the green, when he produced a stunning 21-03 victory, closely followed by Don Ibbotson, quickly getting over his Veterans Cup defeat, producing an equally emphatic 21-07 win. Ian Cameron back to something like his best form posted a steady 21-12 winning card and the back two of Brian Ibbotson 21-09 and Keith Etches 21-11 displayed no mercy for Royden Hall with dominating wins. Skipper Derek Thomas obviously showed some compassion for Royden by going down 19-21 in his game, a true gentleman !!!! These 2 sides meet for the third week on the trot in the Centenary Shield next Wednesday, when Derek Thomas will be hoping for the same again from his team.