A NEAR MISS AT BANISTER
Oakley Bowling Club
At Banister Park, Southampton, this morning, Leigh Allen, Ashley Nethercliffe and Nick Hardy took on a Boscombe Cliff rink, skipped by former England International Nicky Jones in the quarter final of the County Triples. After 3 ends, Oakley trailed 1-4 but they came back to lead 7-5 at halfway, only to drop 4 shots on the next two ends. The game remained close but a five on the 14th end pushed Oakley out to a 14-9 lead and when they held 4 on the next end the match looked all but over. Nicky Jones, however, rose to the occasion, killing the end and when Boscombe scored on the 15th end it was match on. Two successive scores of two for Oakley were enough to see them into the semi-final.
The change of green in the afternoon did not seem to suit Oakley. Their opponents Atherley quickly found line and length and with their lead peppering the jack, Oakley soon found themselves 0-7 down. By half way they had recovered to 8-11 but Atherley were in control and playing more consistently and with just 2 ends left to play Oakley trailed by nine shots. An Oakley score of five gave a glimmer of hope but Atherley successfully saw out the final end. The result will be disappointing for the team but they have played well together in what is their first season together and they are still in the County Fours with another opportunity to reach Leamington.
Apart from Atherley the other qualifiers in the Triples were all from the Northern Area, Cove and in the women's event Cove and Alton Social.
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Oakley Bowling Club, Malshanger, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG23 7EY