DISAPPOINTMENT IN SEMI FINAL OF MIXED TOP CLUB

Playing in their first ever semi-final of the County Mixed Top Club at Banister Park, Oakley made a promising start against Fareham as Ashley Nethercliffe picked up the first of the five points on offer with a comprehensive victory in the Men's Singles. With the Triple leading 10-5, Alice Lovett 13-11 up in the Ladies Singles and the Pairs and Fours games close, a victory seemed possible. However, Fareham were not done and not only squared the match with a victory in the Ladies Singles but bounced back to take a 17-10 lead in the Triples. With leads in the other two disciplines, Fareham were now clear favourites but when Oakley picked up 7 shots in two ends to level the Triples with just one end to play, Oakley still had hope, particularly as their Fours had closed to within two shots. That hope was soon extinguished when Fareham won the final end of the Triples, leaving Oakley to reflect on what might have been. Well down to all the 14 players who have participated in the competition and thank you to the reserves and members who came along to support the team. Oakley scores: Ashley Nethercliffe won 21-4; Alice Lovett lost 18-21; Mary Varndell and Bob Goodyear losing 12-19 (after 20 ends); Leigh Allen, Ruth Bown and Nick Hardy lost 17-18; Janie Vickers, Sue Dixon, Martin Vickers and Graham Tompkins lost 14-18.