MIXED FORTUNES FOR LADIES

It was a morning of mixed fortunes for Oakley Ladies playing at Cove in the semi finals of the North Hampshire Women's BA's competitions. The Oakley four of Mary Varndell, Sue Dixon, Val Ryan and Janie Vickers faced a tough game against this season's in form team Alton Social, skipped by Margaret Holden. All the Social players have qualified for Leamington, but at 5 ends Oakley trailed by just one shot. A disasterous six put Oakley firmly on the back foot and from then on they were outplayed losing two fives as they slumped to 5-31. An Oakley five on the 16th end made the scoreline a little more respectable and the match was then conceded.

Meanwhile the unfancied triple of Diane Yarrall (subbing for Jo Holland), Anji Smith and Laura Butler were taking on a Whitchurch team, skipped by Carol Goodridge. Dropping a four and a three in the first three ends, the omens did not look good but by 7 ends Oakley had tied the score and the game was then close with Whitchurch, at 14 ends, holding a narrow two shot advantage. A three to Oakley on the 15th end put Oakley in the lead for only the second time and they held on to win 17-15. The Club wishes the Triple good luck in the Final to be played on 6th September at Howard Park, against either Farnborough or Alton Social