MIXED FORTUNES IN DISTRICT SEMI FINALS

Tonight Bob Goodyear travelled to Basingstoke Town to play Paul Scofield of Alton, as Bob looked to reach the District Singles Final for the third successive season. Having played and lost at the Town for the last three evenings, Bob was hoping that this third Distirct semi-final would have a better outcome than the previous two. Bob began well picking up a 4 on the first end and after six ends led 8 -3. The next three ends saw only singles being scored but scores of 3 and 2 on the tenth and eleventh ends brought Paul back into the game as Bob went behind 9-10, Paul was now playing well and the momentum was with him. Scores of 3 and 4 in the space of three ends put Paul firmly in the driving seat and try as he did Bob had no answer as Paul ran out the winner by 21-12.

Meanwhile the Oakley triple of Richard Startin, Keith Bringes and Jim Dixon were taking on Malcolm Christian, Matthew Rixson and Malcolm Cullis of Old Basing in the District Two Wood Trioles semi-final. Earlier in the week the Basing team had comprehensively beaten a strong Oakley triple in the three wood triples and Basing started strong favourites. When they picked up a 3 on the first end that favourites tag seemed justified. Oakley, however, moved into a 7-5 lead only for Basing to pick up a 4. The game ebbed and flowed and after 13 ends it was very close with Oakley just edging it 14-13. The critical ends were the 16th and 17th when Oakley picked up two successive 3s to lead 22-14. Basing were not, however, finished and 5 shots on the the next three ends meant they went into the last end just 3 shots adrift. This put the less experienced Oakley rink under some pressure but they held on to win 25-19 and end, on a high note, what had been a disappointing week for Oakley in District semi-finals.