OAKLEY MEN CRASH OUT TO COVE

Oakley's morning began badly at Cove. Starting as underdogs in the National Top Club competition, they needed a good start but were denied this when Spencer Kerley was comprehensively out bowled in the 2 Wood Singles. However, the players in the other 4 disciplines stuck to their tasks and at 12 ends Oakley led in the Triples and Fours and with the singles, featuring Ashley Nethercliffe, too close to call, the match was still, theoretically, in the balance. Eventually, however, Ashley lost 18-21 and, when the Pairs too went down to defeat, the match was conceded, with Cove winning by 4 disciplines to 1. Oakley Scores: Spencer Kerley lost 3-19, Ashley Nethercliffe lost 18-21, Ric Newson and Ted Brown lost 14-24, Martin Smith, Malcolm Grime and Graham Tomkins won18-13, Keith Turnbull, Jim Dixon, Sean Lassman and Stan Mond lost 14-17