MIXED FORTUNES IN CUSHEON TROPHY

Last night saw the start of the Cusheon Trophy event at Loddon Vale Indoor Bowls Club. Originated by the late Laurie Cusheon as a competition for outdoor clubs, the early years saw clubs entering teams of three mixed rinks and the event was popular and well supported. In recent years, however, support has dwindled and even having reduced the entry requirement to two rinks Loddon Vale still found entry numbers reducing so last year, clubs were allowed to enter as single rinks. This arrangement continues for 2018 and the two Oakley teams in the opening games had mixed fortunes. Oakley "A" comprising Alice Lovett, Heather Statham, Bob Goodyear and Ashley Nethercliffe found Old Basing "A" a difficult proposition in the early stages but always had the game under control leading 4-2, after 5 ends, 11-2 after 10 and 14-8 after 15. From there on Oakley were in complete control winning all the remaining ends for a 34-8 triumph. The "B" team of Mary and Terry Varndell, John Yarrall and Ruth Bown also began well against Old Basing "B" leading 4-3 after 5 ends and 9-7 after 10. The third quarter of the game saw, however, a momentum change and by 15 ends Oakley trailed 11-16 and try as they did they were unable to turn round the deficit losing finally 13-23.