BAD NIGHT FOR LADIES IN AREA FINAL

This evening at Alton Social the Oakley Ladies rink of Marion Bringes, Laura Butler, Jo Holland and Val Ryan took on Cove in the Area Final of the Bowls Hampshire Fours. With only Val having previously reached an Area Final it always looked as if it might be an uphill struggle against the Cove rink skipped by Allyson Flint, Hampshire's most capped John's Trophy player and so it proved. Oakley, no doubt nervous, failed to come to grips with the relatively newly laid Social green and after only 5 ends were 0-16 down. Try as they did their more experienced opponents were in total control and by 10 ends had extended their lead with Oakley trailling 3-21. It was now only a matter of time and after 18 ends Oakley conceded having lost 6-29. It will have been a disapponting evening for our team but they should console themselves that to reach the Area final is an achievement in itself. There is always next year.