OAKLEY REACH CUSHEON FINAL

Oakley "A" have, for the third successive season, reached the Cusheon Final where, yet again, they will play Basingstoke Town. After 5 straight wins in the league, victory over Oakley "B" this evening guaranteed them a final spot but there were many scares along the way. After 5 ends the "A" team led by just 1 shot but by 10 ends, with Ted Brown's rink struggling against that of John Wilson, the "B" team had moved out to a 6 shot lead and a surprise result was on the cards. The next 5 ends, however, were to prove important. Ted's rink recovered from a 5-12 deficit to lead 15-13 and with Kay Kerley 15-9 up against Bob Goodyear it looked as if the game had swung significantly in favour of the "A" team, particularly when the lead moved out to 11 shots with just a total of 9 ends to play. Nothing, however, is certain in bowls and with the "B" team winning 4 successive ends the lead reduced to just 2 shots with 4 ends to play. Nerves were now jangling but a 4 on Ted's rink gave the "A" team the cushion they needed and finally, after a great struggle, they ran out winners by 42-32.

Scores:

Nicole Rogers, Malcolm Grime, Ric Newson and Kay Kerley beat Jo Holland, Jim Fitzgerald, Val Ryan and Bob Goodyear 18-16

Coral Wearn, June Harvie, Dave Harrison and Ted Brown beat Pat Fitzgerald, Vera Rhodes, Paul Cresswell and John Wilson 24-16