Tanworth in Arden continued their excellent start to the season with back to back victories over Nordley Liberals in the Summit Garage Premier Bowls League.

On their tricky home green the home side got off to a solid start with victories for Bishop and Jones, however Richard Bate for Nordley Liberals recovered from a 14-3 deficit to reach a precious nine shots.

 Ian Whitehouse used his previous visit to the green in 2007 to excellent effect as he produced some superb lead and drawing bowls to win his game 21-12. Mark Clayton, also showed how to play the green by recording a 21-16 victory over D. Boyce, and after four ends Nordley Liberals were eight shots in arrears. 

Peter Mole was the star for the home side with a 21-5 victory over Mark Picknell, who didn’t have the luck in the early stages of the game. Mark Hall performed well but again the green knowledge of his opponent proved decisive on a long diagonal mark across the green and Holmes was the victor 21-18. 

With the other two winners in the second four the home side ran out winners by 46 shots and maintained top spot after the first two games of the season.

Moseley CC, Sutton Park, St Georges and Kings Norton maintained their 100 per cent start to the season in division 1. Kings Norton earned an excellent result at Boldmere, and St Georges were also too strong for Nordley Liberals B.

Results

Premier Division: M&B Cheslyn Hay 150 Chadsmoor Progressive 131, King George V 148 Woodfield 121, Tanworth in Arden 154 Nordley Liberals 108, Langley 146 Windmill 130, Greville Arms 166 The George 116.

Division One: West Bromwich FS 151 Heath Hayes 148, Sutton Park 164 Great Barr 108, Woodfield B 167 Drakes Drum 110, Moseley CC 167 Baddesley Colliery 102, Nordley Libs B 143 St Georges 147, Boldmere St Michaels 139 Kings Norton 149, Dudley Dell 154 Lea Hall 110.

The opening games in the premier division of the Dudley Building Society Bowls league produced no major surprises, although Woodfield B pushed their A side quite hard before losing 9-5. 

The A team appeared to be in control after the first four ends with three winners led by Nick Newey’s 21-18 defeat of his brother. The middle four also saw three winning cards for Woodfield A led by Dave Semper’s 21-6 card.  But a superb last four for Woodfield B saw them collect three winners including an excellent 21-9 for Ben Daly. 

Chadsmoor A had an easier time against their B side with a 14-2 victory. Top card for the progressive A team was Alan Palin’s 21-1, and the two victors for the B team were Dave Webb and Rob Stroud. 

Defending champions M&B Cheslyn Hay gained revenge for their Staffordshire Cup defeat as they made home advantage count in their clash with Nordley Liberals A  with an 11-3 victory. Dave East continued his undefeated run which is now 19 games.

ECC, who narrowly avoided the drop in 2007, started off on the right note with a 9-5 victory over the Windmill. Top card for ECC was young Shropshire bowler Ryan Stevens’ 21-7 defeat of Lee Cavill. Dave Wright and Derek Griffiths shared the coppers for the Mill with 21-12 victories. 

The best game of the day was at Dudley Dell, where the home side had to pull out the stops against Victoria Park. Dudley Dell got off to an excellent start with five of the first seven cards going their way, but the Park fought back valiantly to close the gap. Top card for Dudley Dell was Jason Westwood’s 21-9 victory. Ian Wetton was in irresistible form for the Stafford club with a 21-5 card.

Results

Premier Division: Dudley Dell 9 Victoria Park 5, Woodfield A 9 Woodfield B 5, ECC 9 Windmill 5, Chadsmoor B 2 Chadsmoor A 14.

In division 1 newly promoted Cradley Liberals visited Short Heath Liberal and despite a battling performance they were defeated 10-4. The Bylet made it two wins out of two as they beat Langley 10-4 on their Bridgnorth green. 

Results

Division 1: Bylet 10 Langley 4, Nordley Liberals B 11 Codsall Ex Service 3, Rowley Labour 5 Penn A 11, Victoria Park B 10 Sedgley Ex Service 4.

Chadsmoor Progressive made it to the semi-finals of the British Team Championships at Irlam, before coming up against eventual winners Garswood Hall. In a tight game the Cannock side slipped to a five shot defeat. In the other half of the draw defending champions and red-hot favourites Budenburgs made it comfortably through to the final. M&B Cheslyn Hay lost to Garswood Hall in the quarter-finals by 18 shots.

Results

Quarter-finals: Chadsmoor 161, The George 140; Garswood Hall 161, M & B Cheslyn Hay 143; St Josephs 140, Lloyds 136; Budenbergs 158, Meersbrook 103. Semi-finals: Garswood Hall 153, Chadsmoor 148; Budenbergs 143, St Josephs 128. Final: Garswood Hall 148, Budenbergs 126.

The draw for the first round of the 2008 Midland Super Cup sees defending champions M&B Cheslyn Hay face a tough opener against top Potteries side and 2006 losing finalists Middleport Park. The Greville Armsaim to add this trophy to their Summit League title and they face Haunchwood.

Full Draw: M&B Cheslyn Hay v Middleport Park, The George v Dudley Dell, Birches Head v St Georges, Meole Brace v Nordley Liberals, Chadsmoor v Moseley CC.