Vics “A” team lose by 38 at Harrison Park but gather 3 points on the day.
The Vics afternoon “A” team started the season off with a disappointing 3-9 defeat at Harrison Park “A” this afternoon on a sluggish green in Wallasey. The Vics, without Skipper, Billy Atkinson were captained by Dick Peake for the first time and Dick had a problem right from the start, when Eddie Clayburn became unwell at the side of the green and had to withdraw from the match just before he should have started his game. A quick reshuffle saw Alan Hughes in the 1st four and Alan fought hard throughout before finally losing 19-21. Mally Andrews, making his debut for the afternoon side, could easily have won his match with a bit more luck but went down 20-21 at the end of a tough encounter. The Vics unfortunately had 4 losing blocks in the 1st four but did share the spoils in the middle four. Bernard Davies stepping up to the 1st team for the holidaying Skipper, carried on the fine form that saw him 3rd in the “B” team averages last year and produced an excellent, hard fought 21-20 victory. Club Secretary, Peter Dodd, had a good 21-10 winning start to the season to erase the memories of his ignominious opening game hiding last year. Robby Franklin, a late stand in for the sick Eddie Clayburn, carded a fine 21-16 win to provide the Vics 3rd point of the day and hopefully we can gain the extra point in the return fixture at West Kirby next week. The 38 shot deficit is not insurmountable and Billy Atkinson will be hoping for an improved performance from the team and with every individual winner now claiming a point there are plenty of points available to add to the 3 gained today.