LEAMINGTON BOUND

It was a good day for Ashley Nethercliffe and Nick Hardy as they set out at Banister Park, Southampton to try and secure a place to represent Hampshire at the National Championships in the Pairs event. In the morning's County quarter final against Russell Kemp and Ray Long of Fleming Park they took an early 5-0 lead but by 5 ends they had been pegged back and by halfway (9 ends in the current format) they trailed 8-11. An Oakley 3 on the 13th end took them into a one shot lead which they retained until the 17th end when they scored a two to go into the last end 3 shots up. The last end was nervy.. After Ashley's bowls and one from Nick, Fleming lay the 4 shots they needed to win the match but Nick managed to get a bowl into the head and, when Ray's despairing last bowl missed, Oakley moved into the semi final.

Now one win away from Leamington, Oakley started slowly in the afternoon semi final against Middleton Cup players Tim Orr and Chris Daniels from Boscombe Cliff and were 0-4 down after just 2 ends. Moving up a gear Oakley then scored ten unanswered shots before Boscombe came back within 2. An Oakley four on the 11th end saw them again move out to a six shot lead but when a running bowl from Chris set up a four it was only a fine saving last bowl from Nick that kept Oakley in front. With 2 ends to play Oakley still led by 4 and a two on the penultimate end meant Boscombe needed a maximum six to square the game. It never seemed likely to happen so Ashley and Nick moved into the County Final. We wish them luck in the Final and when they go to Leamington to represent Hampshire at the Nationals. Well done.