CLOSE CALL IN HANTS AND BERKS CUP
Oakley Bowling Club
Having had a convincing win against Kingsclere in a recent league match, Oakley began last night's Hants and Berks Cup game as favourites but if there was any complacency it soon disappeared as Kingsclere took any early hold on the game with only the rink skipped by Bob Goodyear having its nose in front. Gradually Oakley came back into the game, as Ashley Nethercliffe's rink overhauled their opponents, but overall the game remained close. With 9 ends to play Oakley had established an eight shot lead over the 3 rinks but this disappeared rapidly as, against Bob Goodyear, Kingsclere Captain Peter Cooper produced three particularly telling bowls on three successive ends. This meant that Oakley led by just two shots as the last end commenced and, as Bob Goodyear came to deliver the last bowl of the end, Kingsclere held one and possibly the two shots necessary to force an extra end. With no one certain of the position, Bob elected to play his last bowl and much to the relief of his team secured second bowl to ensure Oakley scraped home by just one shot.
Oakley Scores: Terry Heath, Jim Dixon, Ted Brown and Ashley Nethercliffe won 22-14, Keith Turnbull, Spencer Kerley, Ric Newson and Bob Goodyear lost 17-18, Steve Devonish, Malcolm Grime, Sean Lassman and Fred Norris lost 13-19.
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Oakley Bowling Club, Malshanger, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG23 7EY