WEEKEND OF MIXED FORTUNES

It was a weekend of mixed fortunes for Oakley Bowling Club. It began well enough on Friday evening as the Men's "A" team took maximum points in League 1 to remove any lingering risk of relegation. Saturday saw a fine day for the Oakley Show where President Norman and his helpers did an excellent job at our stall publicising the Club and explaining all we have to offer.

Sunday saw us going in different directions. At the Club we held our Drawn Triples event. With 10 teams playing in two leagues, Richard Baxell, Hugh Aherne and John Yarrall went undefeated in their league and were joined in the Final by Barbs Thomas, Jonathan Rouse and Vice President Ric Newson. It was Ric's team, with Barbs only beginning playing with us this season, that came out on top in a closely fought match. Meantime our Ladies had travelled to Old Basing for the semi final of the Gazette Cup, looking to retain the trophy they won in 2023. It was not to be. Against a Cove team, missing three Johns Trophy players, Oakley were 18 shots down after just 6 ends and matters got no better as they were heavily beaten 54-19. Oakley scores: Mary Varndell, Sue Dixon and Janie Vickers lost 17-9; Sandra Lee, Jo Holland and Shirley Ball lost 19-7; Christine Williams, Val Ryan and Laura Butler lost 18-3.