Skipper Ainsworth roars for the Lions to leave Willow weeping

LEADERS of Section One in the Runcorn & District Bowling Association, Pavilions ‘A’, travelled to take on Helsby ‘A’ and returned home with a superb 163-134 victory.

Bob Johnston’s 21-9 success was best winner on the night.

Tigers Head were also on the road visiting Helsby ‘C’ where they registered a 154-116 win.

Gerald Merry (21-4) and Peter Illidge (21-7) led the way for the Tigers. Replying for Helsby were husband and wife Dave and Elsie Gribbin who recorded 21-15 and 21-13 victories respectively.

Second-placed Grapes ‘A’ faced Halton RBL ‘A’ and were victorious 161-118. Tony Sandbach (21-6) led the way for the Grapes. Best reply for the Legion came from Jimmy Peers’s 21-14 success.

Third-placed Norton also had a very good win 163-104 against Kingswood ‘A’.

Leading the way for the Norton were Terry Evans (21-8) and Jeff Hughes (21-9) with the best reply for Kingswood from Mike Furber (21-16).

It couldn’t be any tighter at the top of Section Two with just 24 chalks separating the two sides occupying top spot and the team currently in fourth place.

Joint-top are Corporation and Overton, both on 578 points. Third are Subscription with 575 and fourth are Pavilions ‘B’ on 554.

Corporation visited War Memorial and recorded a 148-117 victory with no fewer than three players winning to single figures – John Hope (21-8), Jordan Abbott (21-9) and Harry Wilson (21-9).

The best reply for War Memorial came from Dave Brown’s 21-7 win.

Overton faced a weakened Pavilions ‘D’ and carded a 160-89 victory.

Harry Craig (21-4) and Mark Gilson (21-5) were the best winners for Overton.

The only reply for Pavilions was recorded by Dave Anderson’s 21-13 victory.

Third-placed Subscription took on the young guns from Helsby ‘D’ and ran out the winners 157-92.

George Smart (21-5), Don Bryning (21-6) and Alan Guest (21-6) starred for Subscription with Margaret Keating replying for Helsby winning her game 21-11.

Pavilions ‘B’ made up ground on the top three with a superb full house 168-96 triumph against Willow Brook.

Mick Ainsworth with a captain’s performance 21-4 triumph led the way for the Lions.

Section Three pacesetters and newcomers to the League, Manley, travelled to take on Frodsham Cons and recorded a 152-118 success.

Roy Southerton’s 21-7 win led the way for Manley with Kevin Corfield’s 21-8 the best reply for the Cons.

Despite their 134-107 defeat at third-placed Halton RBL ‘B’, Grapes ‘B’ remain second in the section.

John Blakeman (21-5), Doug Kewley (21-6) and Keith Davies (21-9) hit form for the Legion.

Tommy Hopwood (21-3) and Tim McLaughlin (21-10) responded for the Grapes.

Egerton ‘B’ in fourth spot travelled to League newcomers Crowton with the hosts winning 120-109.

Mike Price (21-4), Phil Sidebotham (21-8) and Peter Winnington (21-9) starred for Crowton with the best replies for Egerton coming from Ritchie McGarrigle (21-2), Pat Cooney (21-6) and Dennis Rowlands (21-7).