WANSTEAD CENTRAL became the victims of their own success last Saturday. Their National Top Club third round game clashed with their latest Jackson Shield Group match, helping their demise against Ilford in both events. The Shield game was played in the

WANSTEAD CENTRAL became the victims of their own success last Saturday.

Their National 'Top Club' third round game clashed with their latest Jackson Shield Group match, helping their demise against Ilford in both events.

The Shield game was played in the morning and Ilford dominated the match throughout, winning on all three rinks for an overall triumph by 79-55.

Central's rink of Terry Lichkin, Tony Pratt, Bob Druce and skip Rod Hudson went closest, being pipped 23-20 by Ian McConachie, Bob Piper, Mick Pace and John Kennedy, but the other two rinks were not nearly as tight.

Keith Lloyd, Derrick Kendrick, Colin Foster and Steve Welsh went down 25-16 to Laurie Lewis, Ian Scamell, Jock McCabe and Dave Walters, and the misery was completed when Trevor Welton, Len Welton, Jim Reynolds and Paul Whellams were beaten 31-19 by Bill Cullinam, Terry Pedrick, Bill Beney and Chris Granger.

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

After a lunchtime adjour-nment to the Nightingale pub, plus cod and chips, Ilford continued their good work in the afternoon Top Club match.

Central ran Ilford a lot closer in a match that was decided on the last wood of the match, but it was Ilford's day again as they eventually triumphed by three rinks to two.

Central made a greatstart when Rod Hudson defeated Jock McCabe by 14-11 shots to win the two-wood singles rink.

However, Ilford levelled the match when Chris Granger defeated Terry Lichkin 21-17, to win the four-wood singles rink.

The triples was a one-sided affair as Central's Len Welton, Colin Foster, and Paul Whellams stormed home 28-8 against Mike Pace, Bob Parnell and Bill Beney to give the advantage to Central at this stage.

With the fours going Ilford's way as Lou Jacobs, Mick Bird, Derrick Kendrick and Bob Druce succumbed by 23-14 to Dave Brock, Keith Tyler, John Kennedy and Gary Gray, the outcome of the match rested on the pairs.

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 and win the overall tie.

A bad day for Central, but for Ilford the outcome of a hot weekend means that victory in their final group match at home to Central later this month should be enough to reach the semi-finals of the London Parks premier competition.