NARROW DEFEAT FOR OAKLEY IN DOUBLE RINK

After overnight rain the green was slower than usual, this morning, as Oakley took on Cove looking for a place in the County semi final of the National Double Rink event. Cove made a fine start and, after 6 ends, led by 15 shots to 8. A purple patch from Graham Tompkins four, scoring 16 unanswered shots on the next 5 ends, saw Oakley surge briefly into the lead but a dropped 6 on the 12th took Cove back into a 3 shot lead. It was now too close to call and at 16 ends the match was tied. Cove, however, had the better of the last two ends running out 39-36 winners and they will now play Priory of Portsmouth in the County semi final. Oakley scores: Steve Devonish, Spencer Kerley, Sean Lassman and Graham Tompkins won 24-21; Gary Newson, Malcolm Grime, Ric Newson and Martin Vickers lost 12-18.