MEN'S LEAMINGTON HOPES DASHED
Oakley Bowling Club
After their outstanding performance in the semi-finals of the County Senior Fours, our supporters, who travelled last evening to Southampton's Banister Park dared to hope that the Oakley rink of Ric Newson, Spencer Kerley, Bob Goodyear and Fred Norris could make it through to the National Championships at Leamington. It was likely to be a tough task against a Fleming Park rink, containing three former County Singles Champions but Oakley began well and took an early 5-1 lead after 4 ends. Fleming Park, however, winning the next end, seized the initiative and shortening the jack length stormed into a 17-7 lead. Oakley were not done and by 17 ends trailed by just one shot. A further Fleming Park shot on the next end saw Oakley needing three shots over the last three ends to win the title and when Ric Newson nailed the jack on the 19th end hopes were raised. A brilliant bowl from Alan Forrest, who had led impeccably throughout, wrested the initiative back to Fleming and sadly a piece of misfortunate with Fred's last bowl saw Oakley drop three shots instead of one. The momentum had then shifted back to Fleming Park and after conceding a further three on the 20th end Oakley conceded the game. Finishing runners up in a County Championshio is no mean feat but the players were naturally disappointed at their failure to get to the Nationals. We wish Fleming Park good luck at Leamington.
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Oakley Bowling Club, Malshanger, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG23 7EY