NATIONAL CLUB TWO FOURS NAIL BITER

This evening an Oakley team showing one change and several positional changes from their game against Alton Social travelled the short distance to Howard Park for the second round game in the Men's National Club Two Fours competition. Howard Park, unchanged from their victory over Whitchurch, surged out of the blocks and after 3 ends had a 10 shot advantage. By half way the visitors had reduced the lead to 3 shots but with just 4 ends left on both rinks Howard Park looked in control with a 5 shot lead. Ends 15 and 16 were decisive with Oakley picking up 6 shots and when a further 3 shots were scored by Nick Hardy's rink on the 17th end, it gave Oakley a small cushion that was to be decisive. It fell to Ashley Nethercliffe's rink to play the final end and, with Oakley 2 shots up on the aggregate and 1 shot down on the end, Ashley elected not to play his last bowl, ensuring Oakley a 27-26 victory. Oakley scores: Leigh Allen, Sean Lassman, Martin Vickers and Nick Hardy lost 13-14, Steve Devonish, Fred Norris, Graham Tompkins and Ashley Nethercliffe won 14-12.