TENSE ENCOUNTER IN TONY ALLCOCK TROPHY

As the Cove players arrived this morning for the Tony Allcock (National Over 60's Mixed Two Fours) match, there was a certain amount of trepidation amongst the Oakley team. Cove's team had huge experience, had demolished their opponents in earlier matches and over the years Cove have invariably had the better of Oakley in team events. Over the first couple of ends the teams were evenly matched. However, by 6 ends, Oakley had managed to conjure up a 9 shot lead and although by 12 ends the rink skipped by Fred Norris was now tied, having let slip a 5 shot lead, Oakley were hanging on to an 8 shot advantage, thanks to Graham Topmkins rink. It now became a tense encounter as Cove tried all they knew to pull back the deficit but steady bowling and the rub of the green meant that with a total of 4 ends to play, Oakley knew they would win, provided they did not concede 9 shots over those last ends. It was so close. Cove scored twos on 3 of the last four ends, leaving Chris Cranham's rink, playing Fred Norris, looking for a three or a four on the final end to save or win the match. It was not to be for Cove. They managed just a single to leave Oakley winners by 30-28 in what had been a close, compelling encounter played in good spirits. Would the result have been different, if the match had been played over the traditional 21 ends? No one knows but Oakley were relieved not to have to find out. Scores: Sue Dixon, Malcolm Grime, Janie Vickers and Graham Tompkins lost to Jan Allen, Donna Taylor, Carl Taylor and Jim Marsland 15-16; Mary Varndell, Angie Rowe, Spencer Kerley and Fred Norris beat Bill Dickie, Allyson Flint, Sue Dyson and Chris Cranham 15-12.