ALCESTER slumped to a 28-shot defeat at Black Horse in Division Three of the Northfield Crown Green Bowling League.

Despite defeat, they did gain three points due to winning cards from Jean Sherrington (21-15), Dave Hovell and Ken Harvey (both 21-16).

In the S&W Birmingham Over-60s Division Seven, the A team returned to winning ways with a 31-shot victory over visitors Woodlands.

Alcester could only muster three winners in Hovell (21- 6), Ken Craddock (21-9) and Renny Bannister (21-9).

Their three losers, however, dipped just five shots between them to give the win to the hosts, who now have a narrow four-point lead over Triplex at the top of the table with one match remaining.

Also in Division Seven, the B team lost their eight-match winning run by the heartbreakingly narrow margin of six shots at King George VI.

The winning cards were shared with Alcester’s coming from Red Masterson (21- 8), Val McDermott (21-16) and David Hodgson (21-17).

The final match for Alcester A in Division One of the Yardley Wood League brought a 49-shot win for the home side against visitors Stoke Prior A.

Alcester had six winners in David Whittington (21-4), Hovell (21-6), Jean Bannister (21-7) and John Alderson and McDermott (both 21-15).

This gave Alcester a total of eight points to lift them out of the relegation area by a mere four points.

Over-60s’ action in the Heart of England League saw Alcester B at home to Moorpool B in Division Five.

Victory went to the home side by 11 shots, with winning cards from John Willis (21-5) and Jean Craddock and Ken Craddock (both 21-11).