A THIRD WIN IN DOUBLE RINK

This morning in the National Men's Double Rink event an Oakley team, showing three changes from the first selected team, came through a closely contested match against Kingsclere. At 6 ends Oakley had a narrow three shot lead which they increased to six shots only for Kingsclere to pick up a four and a three and take a one shot lead at 12 ends. With the sun now speeding up the free running green the match was too close to call and with one end to play on both rinks Oakley led overall by just two shots. The first rink to finish was that skipped by Martin Vickers and a single shot win left the Kingsclere rink skipped by Mark Stillings needing a three to tie the match and take it to an extra end. It was not to be for Kingsclere, as Hugh Aherne, a late substitute playing with borrowed bowls, nailed the jack for Oakley and ensured they progressed to the next round. Oakley scores: Gary Newson, Malcolm Grime, Spencer Kerley and Malcolm Vickers won 14-13; Gerald Norris, Hugh Aherne, Sean Lassman and Graham Tompkins won 17-12.