GREAT VISIT TO DORSET BOWLS
Oakley Bowling Club
This week 13 members from Oakley were part of a 51 strong Bowls Hampshire contingent that descended on the Dorset Golf and Bowls Resort. Covid meant it was two years since the last visit and the largest ever Hampshire group, including 21 first timers had, as usual, a thoroughly enjoyable time at the Dorset. Tuesday saw the Ladies take on the Gentlemen and the morning sessions were close but eventually the men triumphed although the Ladies, unsurprisingly claimed the men's victory was suspect as the Ladies had been required to loan them players. Wednesday saw players split into teams of four in two leagues and for two days 16 teams (besides Hampshire, an Oakhampton team was also involved) competed in the event. The league winners were Stephen Greenwood, Ian Brown, Julie Greenwood and Wendy Brown and Oakley's Diane and John Yarrall who played with a player from Dorset and Cove's Carl Taylor. The Final took place late on Thursday afternoon and it was the rink skipped by Wendy Brown that came out on top in a last end decider. Thursday evening saw all 51 tourists and the Oakhampton players gather for the Presentation Evening where John Ryan, Bob Goodyear and Terry Varndell, along with Farnborough's Michael Andrew received a prize for being the best Men's rink in the Ladies vs Gents match. John Ryan also received an award for the highest men's score in the putting competition though he was chastened by a lady winning the overall with a total score of 50 to John's 34. The lady was not even a golfer!! Two other Oakley Members also received awards - for bowling a "Wrong Bias". The Dorset Resort encourage all eight recipients of these awards, on returning home, to display their certificates in their pavilion. The evening concluded with Hazel Marke making a presentation to the tour organiser Kay and indicating that the week had been great fun for all who attended and that everyone was looking forward to returning in 2022.
Find Oakley Bowling Club
Oakley Bowling Club, Malshanger, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG23 7EY