Evesham and District Association

DESPITE trailing their clubmates Elite by five points Wyre Livewyres are still on course to lift the Division One title following an 8-2 victory over Evesham Rowing Club.

The Livewyres nearest rivals would have been disappointed that the Rowers were without the unavailable Doug Payne and the home side took advantage with Geoff Woodward and Malcolm Macfarlane both scoring maximums with Eric Lane losing only to Chris Penny who, together with John Buxton, also won the doubles.

The title race could be clearer by the end of this week as second placed Livewyres are scheduled to meet the leaders Elite this week.

The Elite, who have played two games more than their nearest rivals, scrambled home 6-4 against third placed Bengeworth Tigers thanks mainly to Matt Hartwell.

He won his three singles and with the Elite leading 5-4 teamed up with Darrell Wiltshire to take the doubles 11-4, 11-13, 3-11, 13-11, 11-9 over Grahame Brown and Stuart Greene to clinch the victory.

Bengeworth Blues' Richard Bishop beat Graham Fisher, Ken Southwell and Keith Ferguson when they visited the Elite but the three Elite boys beat John Mytton and Craig Norledge as the home side won 7-3.

Mark Green, Chris Gooderham and Rick Hartwell of Wyre Outcast whitewashed Bengeworth Purple but the same three players went down 7-3 to Bengeworth Tigers with Richard Maghee beating Green 6-11, 10-12, 11-8, 12-10, 11-8.

Jill Stride beat Aileen Berry 12-10, 3-11, 11-7, 17-19, 11-4 in the best game of the night to help Littleton Aces to a 9-1 win over Bengeworth Purple, who fielded only two players.

Blue beat Red in the Bengeworth derby with the Blues' Mike Prior scoring a maximum in the 6-4 victory.

Kington Bulldogs registered back-to-back victories over Evesham Rowing Club with the same six players competing in both matches.

The Bulldogs won the home tie 7-3 despite Andrew Smith losing to Graham Briscombe but got revenge in the return fixture to help the Bulldogs to an 8-2 success.