OAKLEY ADVANCE IN COUNTY MIXED TOP CLUB

For this evening's County Mixed Top Club event, played at Oakley, the hosts were forced to make some late changes to the team due to the unavailability of Triples skip Nick Hardy and a tough game was expected, given visitors Alton's recent successes in County competitions. The early exchanges confirmed these expectations and, although Heather Statham was surging ahead in the Ladies' singles, the other disciplines were close and it looked as if much would hinge on the outcome of the singles between Ashley Nethercliffe and John Blair. This was a see-saw game with neither player settling on the rink and with John leading 15-11 it looked as if he might cancel out the early Oakley advantage arising from Heather's victory in the women's event. It was not to be. Having, at one stage saved a four with a brilliant bowl, John looking for a long jack, put it in the ditch, giving Ashley the opportunity to move to a shorter jack and after 25 ends Ashley emerged the winner. With two of the five discipline points guaranteed Oakley now needed only a win in the Pairs, Triples or Fours. The Triples were next to finish with Alton picking up the third point but shortly afterwards the Oakley Pairs recorded a good win and Alton then conceded the Fours giving Oakley a 4-1 win. Oakley scores: Heather Statham won 21-2; Ashley Nethercliffe won 21-16; Janie Vickers and Sean Lassman won 26-15; Leigh Allen, Ruth Bown and Alice Lovett lost 10-18; Mary Varndell, Sue Dixon, Martin Vickers and Graham Tompkins won 21-13.