LADIES ARE LEAMINGTON BOUND

This evening at Pirrie Park, Southampton, Oakley's ladies took on the Bembridge Club from the Isle of Wight in the last 16 round of the National Top Club Championship. With a point available for each of the four disciplines and playing to the 2021 revised formats it promised to be a tough game and so it proved. Bembridge had the better of the early stages leading in two and drawing a third discipline but there was never much between the teams and for a long time it looked as if both sides would win two disciplines with the result being decided on aggregate shots. The Triples were the first to finish with Oakley having, led by 12 shots eventually running out winners by 7 shots. Bembridge picked up the next point to square the match when they won the Pairs 19-10 leaving Oakley 2 shots down on aggregate. The Fours were doing well but for a while it looked as if the result might depend on the Singles where having led 10-6 Mary Varndelll had conceded 10 consecutive shots. The Fours finished next with a 7 shot advantage meaning that it was Oakley's match providing Mary lost by no more than 4 shots. In the event she won 21-20 so Oakley triumphed by 3 disciplines to 1 and will now play in the National Quarter Final on the 18th September at Leamington. Oakley scores: Mary Varndell won 21-20; Laura Butler and Val Ryan lost 10-19; Janie Vickers, Shirley Ball and Alice Lovett won 16-9; Diane Yarrall, Christine Williams, Sue Dixon and Ruth Bown won 17-10. This is the furthest the Club has ever reached in a National Team Competition and congratulations go to all the players on the achievement. Only 3 of the players have previously played at Leamington so it will be a great experience for whatever team Captain Sue is able to select. Well done Everyone.