Prestbury’s unbeaten start is shattered after

FOR the third week out of four since the North West Counties League winter season’s start, winning men’s teams from clubs in and around our town were in the majority.

But the list of victors did not, for once, include Prestbury 1, whose 100 per cent record in the Second Division East was shattered at Alderley Edge 2. The hosts romped to a 5-0 win, aided in part by the late absence of Prestbury captain Nathan Mayers, due to a family emergency.

There was better news for fellow Division Two side Bollington 1, who enjoyed a first success of the campaign, beating fourth-placed Crewe Vagrants 2. Rick Walters, Brigg Simpson and Stuart Arnold won to edge out the visitors 3-2.

In Division Three Central South, Bollington’s ‘Seconds’ are still without a triumph on court, with only a walkover-victory in their ‘wins’ column. They went creditably close in losing 3-2 at unbeaten Brooklands 2, with successes for junior James Walton (16) and Tom Binder.

Two local teams remain unbeaten, occupying second spot in their respective divisions - and both are from Prestbury. The ‘Seconds’, following a free week in Division Three South-East, resumed where they had left off courtesy of a 4-1 victory at home to winless basement side Crewe Vagrants 4. Rick Bower, 16-year-old Jonny Murray, Graeme English and Mike Brauckmann all triumphed. Prestbury 3 won comfortably at mid-table Brooklands 4 in the Fourth Division Central South, with Mike Quartley, Rich Curry, Paul Bartle, Rupert Richards and Paul Wilson ensuring a 5-0 rout.

Prestbury 4, like Bollington 1, ended a losing start to the season with a home win, as straight-games victories for Ben Parker and Gareth Evans were followed by