TRIPLE DELIGHT FOR OAKLEY

This evening was a good one for Oakley players. At Alton Social, in the Northern Area Final of the County Triples, Leigh Allen. Ashley Nethercliffe and Nick Hardy were up against Cove's Sam Selby, Harrison Ash and John Stone and (unlike the Fours earlier in the week where they had to carry the Club Captain - Ric asked me to say this!) the team was always in control. They lost a single on the first end but by 4 ends led 7-1 and although they dropped the next two ends, by half way they led 14-4. By now their supporters led by President John were becoming confident and this confidence proved justified as at 16 ends Cove conceded with the score 19-7 in Oakley's favour. The trio will now play the County Quarter Final at Banister Park on Sunday 1st August against a Boscombe Cliff rink skipped by former England International Nicky Jones.

Meanwhile, on a neutral green at Kingsclere, Sean Lassman, the 2019 Club Open Singles Champion was taking on Martin Bown of Littleton in the semi final of the Whitchurch League's Brookhouse Cup - the competition open only to Club champions. Sean dropped a three on the first end and after 7 ends the scores were tied at 5-5. However, over the next 5 ends Sean scored 12 unanswered shots, eventually running out a comfortable winner 21-7.

The final success of the evening came in the Thornbery Trophy - the County Ladies Club championship. Away to Fleet United, Oakley began badly with Janie Vickers' rink dropping nine shots in just 3 ends but the other rink kept us in the game and by 5 ends Oakley led overall by just one shot. The game remained tight with Oakley leading by five shots at 10 ends and with Alice Lovett's rink moving out to an eight shot lead Oakley at 15 ends led by seven. By 18 ends the lead had been extended to eleven and altough a dropped four on the 19th end caused some consternation Oakley ran out winners by 42-32. Oakley Scores: Mary Varndell, Sue Dixon, Val Ryan and Janie Vickers drew 20-20. Shirley Ball, Ruth Bown, Heather Statham and Alice Lovett won 22-12.

Congratulations to all those playing tonight and the Club wishes them good luck in their next games.