BATTLE FOR RUNNERS UP IN LEAGUE

Traditionally the BDBA Rinks League has been the trophy to win for local male players. However, this year the decision to make the league mixed led to some regular participants opting not to play. Consequently there were concerns about whether Oakley would be competitive. From the outset, it was evident that Alton Social would dominate the league but the fight for second place and the prize money, kindly being donated by Dave Elliott, produced an exciting finale. With one match to play, Oakley found themselves in second place leading Kingsclere in third with the teams meeting in that final match and Oakley needing 1.5 points to finish runners up. With both teams missing key players, it was so close. For most of the match, Kingsclere led on 2 rinks and comfortably on the aggregate score but as the game drew to its conclusion the losing Oakley rinks narrowed their deficits to the extent that the runners up spot depended on whether the Oakley rink skipped by Graham Tompkins could on the last end avoid dropping 4 shots and give Oakley a 3 points to 2 victory. All evening Graham had bowled well and again, on the last end he showed how to play a tricky rink by drawing both the shot and third bowl. Oakley had come through and exceeded expectations for 2023. Well done to all who contributed.