FIGHT BACK IN VAIN

This evening at Basingstoke Town, Oakley's men took on the holders Cove in the quarter final (Northern Area Final) of the County Club Championship. Cove have for several years now qualified for the semi final of this 4 rink event and whenever Oakley play them Cove's greater strength in depth tends to carry the day. The start was delayed for over 15 minutes as Cove had a skip who had been delayed and soon Cove were running away with the game and establishing a 19 shot lead after only 5 ends. By 10 ends the lead had increased to 24 with only Nick Hardy's rink in the lead for Oakley and with Graham Tompkin's rink well adrift at 3-16. Oakley were not, however, down and out and by 15 ends the lead had been reduced to 12 shots. A disastrous 7 on one rink, after the Oakley skip twice moved the jack in the wrong direction, did not help the cause but Oakley were still in the fight. Only 8 shots adrift overall and with 4 ends left to play the heavens opened and with the green unplayable and darkness having set in because of the late start Captain Ric rightly decided that safety of players was paramount and conceded the match. Congratulations to Cove but well done to Oakley for running the Champions close.

Oakley scores: Malcolm Grime, Martin Smith, Bob Goodyear and Jason Rogers lost 14-21; Jamie Fewtrell, Ted Brown, Ric Newson and Ashley Nethercliffe won 19-11; Richard Startin, Jim Dixon, Spencer Kerley and Graham Tompkins lost 15-29; Steve Devonish, John Yarrall, Sean Lassman and Nick Hardy won 18-13.