OAKLEY YOUNGSTERS SHINE IN AREA FINAL

It was a successful evening at Cove for Oakley's Heather Statham and Alice Lovett in the Northern Area Final of the Women's County Pairs. The Oakley youngsters started very much as underdogs against the highly experienced Alton Social pair of Hazel Marke and Margaret Holden both of whom have already qualified, in other events, for the National Championships and had already this season beaten the Oakley girls in the Triples and Fours events. Oakley, however, made a good start and led 4-1 after 3 ends only for Social to pick up a three on the fourth end to level the scores at 4-4. There followed an incredible sequence of 9 ends where only one shot was scored and at 13 ends Oakley led 10-7. A score of two on the 14th end gave Oakley a small cushion but Social won the next two ends with singles and holding a big score on the penultimate end it looked as if experience would tell. Alice, however, rose to the occasion drawing 2nd bowl and a score on the last end was sufficient to see the Oakley youngsters through to the County Last Eights to be played at Banister Park. Well done girls and good luck at Southampton.