SO CLOSE TO BIGGEST SCALP OF ALL

This afternoon at Leamington, Nicole Rogers faced the biggest test of her short outdoor bowling career as she took on Ellen Faulkner of Cambridgeshire in the National Champion of Champions event. In only her third outdoor season, Nicole could have been excused if she had failed to perform when up against the thrice Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist, the thrice World Indoor champion and a World Outdoor Gold Medallist. However, following her win yesterday against the reigning champion, Nicole began confidently and led 8-4, only for Ellen to level at 8-8. The game was then very tight with the scores level at 11-11 and 13-13. Nicole then edged ahead but at 15-15 Ellen picked up a full house and when she held 2 on the next end Nicole's dreams of glory looked dashed. Ellen then uncharacteristically, gave away the shot and playing, for the first time in front of a large crowd, Nicole showed her mettle to claw back to 20-20. The last end saw Ellen in command but as she bowled her last bowl Nicole still had a chance to win. She was 2 inches too heavy, thus leaving Ellen not needing to play her last bowl. Nicole will be disapponted but Oakley and the County are very proud of her achievement. Two visits so far to Leamington and both her defeats have been to the eventual Champion.