A STEP TOO FAR

For Oakley Ladies, Tuesday evening was a step too far as they took on a strong team from Sutton in the last 32 of the National Top Club competition. Playing on a neutral green at Knapp Hill, they were no match for a Sutton team, seven of whose members had been part of this year's winning Surrey Johns Trophy squad and who had a wealth of experience of playing at senior and junior international level. With a point for each discipline, Oakley's run in this year's competition has benefitted from Nicole Roger's ability to clinch the singles point but today she struggled early on to hold her opponent Carol McGrail who, like Nicole had reached this year's Champion of Champions finals at Leamington, and, despite a strong come back, the point was lost. By this time Oakley were struggling badly in the three other disciplines and so it was only a matter of time before Captain Sue Dixon decided enough was enough and conceded the match. Today's result was not unexpected. The team received a bowling lesson that showed how much improvment is necessary to compete at the top level. It was, however, the club's best ever run in the competition and all the players who participated should be proud of their efforts . Oakley scores: Nicole Rogers lost 16-21, Shirley Ball and Val Ryan lost 7-17, Mary Varndell, Heather Statham and Alice Lovett lost 7-21, Sue Dixon, Ruth Bown, Angie Rowe and Janie Vickers lost 7-20