ANOTHER TRIP TO BANISTER

This evening at Howard Park BC, Oakley played Kingsclere and Cove played Alton Social to determine which two teams would go to Banister Park at Southampton to represent the Northern Area in the Quarter Finals of the County Fours. Historically the Howard Park green has been one of the heaviest in the Area but this evening the pace was good although, on the two rinks allocated, the lines were such that some of Hampshire's best players struggled to produce good bowls. Oakley, as is customary began slowly and after two ends trailed 0-3. At five ends the scores were tied at 4-4. A score of 4 for Kingsclere on the sixth end looked to have put Kingsclere in the driving seat but by ten ends the Oakley rink of Leigh Allen, Ric Newson, Ashley Nethercliffe and Nick Hardy had squared the game at 9-9. A score of 4 for Oakley on the 11th end changed the momentum and a further 3 on the 13th end effectively sealed the game as Kingsclere conceded after 14 ends with the score 18-9 in Oakley's favour. Oakley will now play Priory in the County Quarter Final on Sunday. We wish the players good fortune.