ANOTHER SUPRISE TOP CLUB VICTORY FOR OAKLEY

After their shock victory at Alton Social in the previous round of the National Top Club, there was little expectation that Oakley's men would be able to repeat that success in their next round home tie against Cove, a club which for many years has been the strongest team in the Northern Area of Hampshire. Ric Newson gave Oakley a good start by picking up the first point in the Two Bowl Singles and, at that stage, the match was very much in the balance with Cove leading in the Four Bowl Singles and comfortably in the Triples, Oakley well ahead in the Pairs and the Fours too close to call. The next point went to Cove, as Gerald Norris, after a good fight, went down in the Four Bowl Singles but by then the Triples had rallied and Oakley led in the remaining three disciplines. The next point went to Oakley as their Pairs recorded a good victory and with their Fours well behind and Triples 3 shots behind Cove conceded the match agreeing that the Triples should be recorded as a draw. Oakley scores: Ric Newson won !5-9; Gerald Norris lost 11-21; Steve Devonish and Sean Lassman won 16-12; Hugh Aherne, Malcolm Grime and Spencer Kerley drew 15-15; Gary Newson, Jim Dixon, John Ryan and Graham Tompkins won 18-7.