A FIRST loss in the Middle England League against Leicestershire was not enough to prevent Warwickshire from taking top spot last week.
Warwickshire gained four points from the 106-109 defeat to send them into first place, two points ahead of second-placed Oxfordshire, and five ahead of Leicestershire and Gloucestershire – who have all won two and lost one.
The ladies won two of their rinks, with Moira Parsons (Welford) with Dawn Horne (RLS), and Liz Crowther (Lillington) with Trish Jarvis (Wolvey) gaining the highest margin of victory in their 26-13 win, despite being level pegging at nine each.
Pat Moore (Three Spires) with Donna Kerr (RLS), and Lynne Innes and Linda Linney (both Stratford) won the other rink 19-15 in a rollercoaster of a tie, going 12-3 up after ten ends but having to rely on three shots on the 15th end to win after Leicestershire made a comeback.
Maureen Edwards (Rugby Thornfield) with Margaret Grosvenor (Lillington), and Heather Mills (Grange Ladies) and Joan Hall (Nuneaton) were more than a match for their opponents, but came out on the wrong side of a 16-17 scoreline, whilst Sue Hornsby (Lillington) with Sharon Keal (Snitterfield) and Helen Harris (Stoke) with Debbie Bloxham (Stratford) lost 15-17 despite being level at 20 ends.
Jenny Corn with Pat Gagg (both Lillington), and Joy Cooke (Blossomfield) alongside Elaine Taylor (Stoke) lost 16-22 after failing to capitalise on early momentum, while Chris Cooke and Rosemarie Geden (both Southam) with Di Medhurst (Stoke) and Liz Westell (Welford) were beaten 14-25.
Warwickshire are in action in their penultimate MEL fixture on Wednesday against Gloucestershire at Pineholt Bowling Club, where they return on Saturday to face the same opponents in the Johns Trophy.
