ALCESTER’S Crown Green Bowling Club suffered a hefty 39- shot defeat at Black Horse A in Division Two of the Northfield League.

Only John Slater managed a winning card, with a 21-12 victory, giving Alcester a single league point against the hosts’ 9.

Both Alcester teams having been beaten in the first round of the Yardley Wood Cup, they now played in the Consolation Cup.

The A team faced Henley A, with three of the home four players gaining wins, Jean Bannister (21-12), Dave Hovell (21-13) and Carole Slater (21-19).

The fourth card produced a heavy defeat, leaving only a four four- shot-winning margin at the halfway stage.

The away four also produced three winners in Renny Bannister (21-11), Bob le Resche (21-14) and Ken Harvey (21-19), to give them a six-shot win at Henley, and an overall winning margin of 14 shots, to proceed into the second round.

The B team, drawn against King George VI A, stormed into the second round with all four home players recording wins, led by a brilliant 21-3 for Trish Barry, and sound wins for Jean Craddock (21-10), Margaret D’Elia (21-12) and Ken Craddock (21-13).

The away four produced two winners, with a superb 21-8 from Jean Sherrington and an excellent 21-12 for Val McDermott, to give Alcester an overall 58-shot victory.

In Division Two of the Heart of England League, Alcester A visited Austin British Legion B.

This is not a happy hunting-ground for Alcester, but on this occasion they produced a 58-shot win.

Seven winning cards came Alcester’s way, led by superb performances from John Slater (21-8) and John Alderson (21-10).

These were backed up by three 21-12 wins from Dave Hovell, Peter Barber and Ken Harvey, a 21-13 for Jean Bannister and a 21-20 from Bob Le Resche.

In Division Six, the B team entertained Hall Green and won 15-3.

In the Heart of England Over-60s section, Alcester A visited their arch rivals White Hart A in Division Two and went down by 37 shots.

The B team in Division Six entertained Acocks Green B, and recorded a very satisfactory 19- shot success.