Veterans take heart in a plucky performance

By dom mills

LEEK Veterans A found some consolation in recording the highest visiting total against 2009 champions Congleton Park A.

But despite limiting the Congleton outfit to a season's low of 150, Leek were still beaten by 47 chalks after claiming three individual winners.

In the Congleton League, Leek A expected a tough test at Swettenham A.

The Moorlands outfit claimed a narrow home victory back in April. But the Swettenham green received a soaking after a long dry spell and the conditions suited Leek's players, who recorded a creditable 148-139 away victory.

John Alcock (21-8) stood out for Leek B in a close encounter with Fegg Hayes C.

The home side won by the narrowest margin – just one chalk separating the sides.

Leek D were also narrow winners after hosting Congleton Park C in Division D. Top performances from Peter Hewett, Harry Wright and Beth Ball proved the difference.

Under-strength Leek B suffered defeat in their Vets League top-flight fixture against Alsager Institute A, while Leek C posted three winners in a low-scoring Division C defeat at Good Companions.

Leek A's Stoke-on-Trent League match at Kingsley has been rearranged for Friday, July 30 after last week's wash-out. The B team, playing up the road at Leek Park, had no such problems and emerged convincing derby winners as five Leek bowlers hit the 21 mark.

In the Ladies League, the B team were unable to match leaders Betley despite wins from Glennis Bloor and Sue Taylor.

The Saturday Mixed League team continue to sweep all before them and look set for promotion to Division One. Alsager Golf and Country Club were the latest side to feel the force of Leek's promotion charge – losing by 69 chalks.

The Junior A team continued their fine season with a maximum haul of 84 to Knypersley A's 58.

RESULTS

CONGLETON LEAGUE

Division A – Swettenham A 139, Leek 148: S Clark 5-21, B Ball 21-9, A Naylor 21-11, A Gayes 20-21, H Needham 20-21, R Halton 21-15, C Hulme 21-20, A Franklin 19-21.

Division C – Leek B 140, Fegg Hayes C 139: Pat Alcock 18-21, C Taylor 14-21, P Alcock 16-21, D Stephenson 14-21, D Wood 21-11, J Alcock 21-8, T Hague 15-21, D Ferns 21-15.

Division D – Leek D 125, Congleton Park C 122: B Naylor 21-16, J Watson 11-21, Beth Ball 21-10, E Scragg 7-21, A Meakin 10-21, H Wright 21-6, P Hewett 21-6, M Perkin 13-21.

VETERANS LEAGUE

Division A – Congleton 150, Leek A 103: N Naylor 17-21, A Franklin 21-14, T Hague 21-15, R Halton 3-21, S Clark 8-21, H Needham 2-21, C Hulme 18-21, B Brough 21-16.

Leek B 143, Alsager Institute A 149: D Wood 21-7, Pat Alcock 20-21, K Kirtley 19-21, P Hewett 8-21, F Pogmore 21-18, C Taylor 16-21, B Fry 21-19, S Taylor 17-21.

Division C – Good Companions 139, Leek C 120: G Bloor 15-21, J Bloor 21-15, L Sims 21-6, M Williams 7-21, H Williams 11-21, B Naylor 21-13, S Tideswell 13-21, K Walker 11-21.

STOKE-ON-TRENT LEAGUE

Division Six – Leek Park 111, Leek B 146: C Taylor 19-21, B Brough 21-11, D Stephenson 21-12, B James 21-10, D Ferns 11-21, J Watson-Lazowski 21-9, J Alcock 21-6, P Hewett 11-21.

LADIES' LEAGUE

Betley 128, Leek B 85: S Taylor 21-15, M Smith 8-21, J Peacock 5-21, B Trafford 13-21, A Hague 9-21, G Bloor 21-8, M Williams 8-21.

SATURDAY MIXED LEAGUE

Division Two – Leek 186, Alsager Golf & Country Club 117: T Hague 21-16, K Kirtley 21-5, J Watson 21-11, F Pogmore 20-21, G Bloor 21-16, C Plant 21-17, N Naylor/B Naylor 21-4, S Taylor/C Plant 21-6, J Watson/F Pogmore 19-21.

STOKE-ON-TRENT JUNIOR LEAGUE

Knypersley A 58, Leek A 84: D Ferris 21-19, J Watson-Lazowski 21-10, C Plant 21-17, S Walthall 21-17.