by Keith Lloyd

CENTRAL'S impressive start to the season came to a shuddering halt on Saturday when they were defeated in two key matches against old rivals Ilford BC.

Due to fixture congestion both the "Jackson" Shield Group match and the National "Top Club" Competition third round tie were controversially arranged for the same day, common sense not prevailing.

The "Jackson" Shield fixture was played in the morning and Ilford dominated the match throughout winning all three rinks for an overall winning score of 79 - 55 shots.

Central's rink of Terry Lichkin, Tony Pratt, Bob Druce and Rod Hudson went down by 20 - 23 shots to Ian McConachie, Bob Piper, Mick Pace and John Kennedy.

Central's rink of Keith Lloyd, Derrick Kendrick, Colin Foster and Steve Welsh went down by 16 - 25 shots to Laurie Lewis, Ian Scamell, Jock McCabe and Dave Walters.

Central's rink of Trevor Welton, Len Welton, Jim Reynolds and Paul Whellams went down by 19 - 31 shots to Bill Cullinam, Terry Pedrick, Bill Beney and Chris Granger.

A bad morning for Central who will now have to win the return match with Ilford and also win the two other group fixtures against Barley BC to stand a chance of reaching the semi - final stage of the competition.

The "Top Club" match was played in the afternoon and Central ran Ilford a lot closer in a match that was decided on the last wood of the day, but it was Ilford's day again as they eventually triumphed by 3 - 2 rinks.

Central got of to a good start when Rod Hudson defeated Jock McCabe by 14 - 11 shots to win the "Two Wood" singles rink.

Ilford levelled the match when Chris Granger defeated Terry Lichkin by 21 - 17 shots to win the "Four Wood " singles rink.

The "Triples" rink was a one-sided affair as Central's Len Welton, Colin Foster, and Paul Whellams stormed home by 28 - 8 shots against Mike Pace, Bob Parnell and Bill Beney. Advantage to Central at this stage. With the "Fours" rink going Ilford's way as Lou Jacobs, Mick Bird, Derrick Kendrick and Bob Druce succummed by 14 - 23 shots to Dave Brock, Keith Tyler, John Kennedy and Gary Gray, the outcome of the match rested on the "Pairs" rink. Here Central's Keith Lloyd and Steve Welsh were up against Ilford's Ian Scamell and Dave Waters. Although not a classic due to an unpredictable green it was nevertheless an exciting match that saw the Ilford duo holding a one shot advantage going into the last end. Central held a one shot lead that would have meant an extra end, but with his last wood Dave Waters drew the shot to see Ilford home by 20 - 18 shots and also the overall tie. A bad day for Central.

In an Alpha Group Triples League fixture Central returned to winning ways with a narrow 44 - 43 overall shot victory against Goodmayes BC, after winning two of the three rinks.

Keith Lloyd, Bill Wray and Rod Hudson won by 20 - 13 shots against R.Webster, B.Hillery and W.Hart.

Tony Pratt, Jim Reynolds and Derrick Kendrick won by 12 - 9 shots against J.Arrowsmith, R.King and K.Gadenne.

Central's losing rink was Lou Jacobs, Colin Foster and George Coster who went down by 12 - 21 shots against S.Hughes, D.Smith and R.Mansell.

At the end of the day Central gained 5 points and Goodmayes 2 points.

Central went down by an overall 33 - 45 shots against Connaught BC in a "Clark-White" League fixture,after losing both rinks.

At home Steve Minns, Dave Crouch, John Ellis and Len Welton lost their rink by 16 - 22 shots.

The away rink of Gerry Rose, John Sankey, Peter Norgate and Bob Druce lost by 17 - 23 shots.

All 6 points available went to Connaught.

Central had a better day when they defeated Clayhall BC by an overall 36 - 34 shots in a Redbridge Afternoon League encounter, winning both rinks by a single shot.

Tony Pratt, Bill Whenman, Brian Jones and Mick Bird won their rink by 19 - 18 shots.

Roy Hawkins, Dave Crouch, Stan Edwards and John Ellis won their rink by 17 - 16 shots.

Central were rewarded with all the 6 points.

In a Redbridge Afternoon Mixed League fixture Central lost by an overall 28 - 41 shots against Ilford BC, both sides winning a rink a-piece.

Joyce Johnson, Bill Whenman, Rita Shepherd and Mick Bird won their rink by 16 - 15 shots.

George Curtis, Muriel McFarlane, Janet Bird and John Ellis went down by 12 - 26 shots.

Central earned 2 points and Ilford 4 points for their efforts.

It was a bad day for Central in the Walthamstow & District Thursday Afternoon Fours League with all three teams losing.

The "A" team of George Curtis, Frank Wood, Tony Pratt and John Ellis lost by 13 - 19 shots against Victoria Park "A".

The "B" team of Roy Hawkins, Brian Bessell, Dave Peterson and Peter Shepherd lost by 17 - 31 shots against Larsens "B".

The "C" team of Stan Einhorn, Lawrence Ackerman, Gerry Rose and Trevor Welton lost by 18 - 22 shots against Orford House "B".