DISAPPOINTING START TO BUSY WEEKEND

A busy weekend for Oakley's bowlers began disappointingly on Friday evening at Basingstoke Town as the men were comprehensively out-played by the home side. By 7 ends, Oakley trailed by 16 shots and at no time did they ever look like finding a way back into the game losing finally 36-67. Oakley scores: Leigh Allen, Martin Smith, Sean Lassman and Ashley Nethercliffe lost 19-20; John Yarrall, Paul Cresswell, Spencer Kerley and Fred Norris lost 9-17; Jamie Fewtrell, Jim Dixon, Malcolm Grime and Graham Tompkins lost 8-30.

This morning brought further disappointment, as the ladies bowed out to Alton Social in the National Top Club, the event in which, last year, Oakley reached the national quarter finals. It could not have been closer. With a point available for each of the four disciplines, it always looked as if the game would go to the wire and it did. Social picked up the singles point after Caroline Goodeve edged out Heather Statham after picking up three successive singles when the Match had been tied at 18-18. The triples saw Oakley square the match and their 21-10 victory meant if Oakley could pick up another point from the two remaining disciplines they would probably snatch the match on shots aggregate. The pairs trailed by just one shot with two ends to play but when Social held on for a four shot win everything depended on the fours. Going into the last end Oakley needed a four to tie the disciplines at 2-2 and win the game. It was not to be. They scored a three to draw the game but that shared point gave Social a 2.5 to 1.5 win. We wish them luck in the next round. Oakley scores: Heather Statham lost 18-21; Shirley Ball and Laura Butler lost 11-15; Sue Dixon, Ruth Bown and Alice Lovett won 21-10; Mary Varndell, Diane Yarrall, Angie Rowe and Janie Vickers drew 15-15.

Hopefully, tomorrow may bring better results as the men take on Cove in the National Two Rink competition and Janie's four play in the County Fours quarter final. We shall also be following the exploits of Nick and Jason as they represent Hampshire in the Balcomb Trophy and Ashley in the Junior White Rose event.