THE ASH BLOOMS IN WINTER

Congratulations to Ashley Nethercliffe who, representing Loddon Vale, on Saturday evening, beat Tom Poore from Dolphin in the Area Final of the Indoor National U25 at Five Rivers Salisbury. Ashley controlled the first set from the start and ran out with a score of 13-3 after 8 ends. The second set was a different matter with Tom getting the better start and leading Ashley by 4 shots after 3 ends. Ashley was back in front by 1 shot by the 7th end only for Tom to pick up 1 shot on the 8th end to draw level. The 9th end saw Ashley draw shot and with two bowls left to play Tom played into the head and Ashley's shot went off the rink leaving Ashley needing to draw shot with the final bowl to win the set 8-7.

Ashley will now travel to Spalding in Lincolnshire where, on the 25th January he will play either Sam Moss of Falcon or Jack Burch of Ipswich.