ASHLEY MISSES OUT

Ashley Nethercliffe's hopes of a good run in this year's Junior Singles at Leamington came to a shuddering halt this morning. It was a big ask for Ashley, even as the Hampshire Champion, to overcome one of the favourites in Tom McGuinness, already the holder of two national titles and a member of the England team that won the 2022 European Championship. Nonetheless Hampshire supporters hopes were high that Ashley could pull off a surprise. It was not to be. Tom settled quickly and although Ashley hung in for some time, he struggled to find line and length and below his normal high standard succumbed to a 21-7 defeat. Hampshire's other representative 14 year Alfie Smith made a nervous start but recovered well before he too went down to defeat against Cumbria. Interest then turned to former Oakley player Nicole Rogers who was involved in a marathon quarter final of the women's Junior Singles. Lying game, Nicole's opponent was way off line with her final bowl but fortuitously knocked in for shot a bowl at least 2 yards short of the jack. It was not a good morning but bowls can be cruel.