MARTIN'S WIN CRUCIAL

Oakley's 4-1 victory against Liphook in this morning's County Mixed Top Club was so much closer than the final scoreline suggests. A heavy shower delayed the start and it was Oakley that had the best of the early play with the Fours, Pairs and Martin Vickers, in the Men's Singles, establishing good leads The Triples were, however, struggling badly and, by midday, with Laura trailing in the Ladies' Singles and Martin's lead being whittled away, the match was very much in the balance. Fortunately Martin rose to the occasion picking up his singles point and although Liphook levelled the scores with victory in the Ladies Singles, Oakley's big leads in the Fours and Pairs, coupled with a very late rally from the Triples was enough to produce a 4-1 victory from what might easily have been a 3-2 defeat.

Oakley scores: Martin Vickers won 21-18; Laura Butler lost 21-12; Janie Vickers and Sean Lassman won 28-4; Mary Varndell, Steve Devonish and Spencer Kerley won 19-14; Christine Williams, Sue Dixon, Ric Newson and Graham Tompkins won 20-11.