MIXED FORTUNES FOR MEN

The Club's hopes of a run in the County Club Championship were dashed by Basingstoke Town when we visited them for the second round game. With a team showing 5 changes from that in the previous round, Oakley began poorly and by 5 ends were already 9 shots adrift. However, over the next 5 ends the team held its own but any chances of a win disappeared over the next 5 ends and eventually the Town won 78 - 56. Oakley Scores: Dave Clewer, John Yarrall, Sean Lassman and Ted Brown won 18-14; Dominic Flannigan, Jim Dixon, Malcolm Grime and Stan Mond lost 6-29; Martin Smith, Terry Varndell, Ric Newson and Ashley Nethercliffe drew 18-18; Keith Turnbull, Duncan Wilkins, Bob Goodyear and Fred Norris lost 14-18.

It was a different story on Friday evening when Oakley took on Cove in the National Two Rink competition. Up against the 2016 National semi-finalists in this event and the Northern Area's powerhouse, Oakley began as rank outsiders but, thanks to Bob Goodyear pulling off some excellent saving shots in the early stages, the game was tight throughout with Oakley, for much of the game, holding a lead of between 1 and 4 shots. When, however, Cove took a 1 shot lead at about 18 ends it looked as if the greater experience of Cove, with their 4 Middleton Cup players, would prevail. On this occasion, Oakley dug deep and helped by a somewhat fortuitous bowl from Ashley Nethercliffe, who saved a four, Ashley and his rink found themselves playing the penultimate end with a 7 shot advantage. A score of 1 on that end meant Cove needed a maximum 8 to take the match to an extra end but for Cove it was not to be and Oakley emerged as victors by 35 shots to 27 - the first time in many years that Oakley have prevailed against Cove in a men's team event. Oakley scores: Ric Newson, Malcolm Grime, Spencer Kerley and Bob Goodyear won 18-16; Keith Turnbull, Sean Lassman, Ted Brown and Ashley Nethercliffe won 17-11.