JOY FOR JANIE

This evening at Banister Park, Janie Vickers competed in the last Eights of the County Two Bowl Singles knowing that 2 victories would put her in the County Final and go on to represent Hampshire at the National Championships. Janie's first match was against Tina Scarborough of Lee-on-the-Solent. After 5 ends Janie trailed 1-5 and by 14 ends the defecit was still 3 shots. A score of two gave Janie hope and she shortened the jack length to win the next two ends to lead for the first time by 12-10. Her opponent was, however, far from finished and with just 2 ends to play Janie found herself down again by 12-13. A score of two saw Janie take a lead of just one shot into the 21st end and as a nervous end concluded it looked to the spectators as if the shot was Tina's and that an extra end would be needed. Fortunately the spectators were wrong and winning the shot on a measure Janie moved into the semi final.

The semi against the 2021 semi finalist Laura Kitcher of Kings Park Bournemouth was expected to be a close encounter but Janie made a confident start leading 5-0 after 3 ends. The match was then very close and by 14 ends Janie led only by 10 shots to 8, it was now anyone's match but Janie had a purple patch picking up 5 shots to move into a 15-8 lead with just 4 ends left, and although Laura scored singles on the next two ends the game was conceded to Janie at 19 ends.

The Club's congratulations go to Janie, who will now represent Hampshire at Leamington Spa on the 24th August. She has ensured we are represented at the Nationals for the 8th successive year and we all wish her the best of fortune.