STOKE Prior Bowling Club 132 Henley Bowling Club 152. Stoke's opening Yardley Wood and District League Premier Division Two game at home to Henley was played on a heavy green that gave Stoke little advantage over their newly promoted opponents.

On an overcast frosty evening, and with the cold biting into the players, you may be forgiven for thinking the sport was anything other than crown green bowling!

The defeat is a devastating blow for Stoke, and with a difficult trip to Henley in the return league match, things have got to improve quickly if a promotion challenge is to be mounted this term.

In the Warwickshire and Worcestershire League, Stoke Prior's second team opened their Alliance Division Five fixture with the long trip to Barn Social in Witton.

After last season's difficulties in raising a full side, Stoke were again finding it hard to field the 12 bowlers needed, due to the holiday and working commitments of some of the squad.

In the end, captain Geoff Mycock had the full complement of players, which included a debut for new signing Peter Harvey, who is commuting from his home in Swindon, Wiltshire.

On a damp green and being so early in the season, Stoke had a fantastic chance to gain an away win, but nobody could have predicted the ease in which Stoke mastered their opponents, winning 8 of the 12 games.

Best of these were Mycock's superb 21-5 and Peter Harvey's 21-9 winning start, to take the match by 35 shots.

l Stoke's first team fixture at home to Brookvale Social was postponed due to a waterlogged green. The re-arranged date has still to be decided.