END OF THE ROAD

Today was Oakley's last involvement at the National Championships. Ashley Nethercliffe, partnered by Alton Social's Reece Graham, after a great effort, bowed out of the Men's Jumior Pairs at semi final stage. Against Adam Pitfield and Nathan Betts of Northamptonshire they made a poor start and were 2-8 down after just 5 ends and although they pulled back to 8-11 it was their opponents who ran out 20-12 winners. The boys will be disappointed but it was great experience for them and time is on their side.

There was a similar fate for Alice Lovett and Grace Read of Milton Park who in the equivalent women's event found themselves drawn against Devon's International Emma Cooper and former Oakley player Nicole Rogers. It was a tough ask for Alice, having had a busy run in the Junior Singles, and for Grace Read for whom it was a first game at Leamington as she substituted for Heather Statham. Perhaps unsurprisingly they were well beaten but again both players should be proud of what they have achieved.