TWO BASINGSTOKE TITLES

For Martin Vickers it was a busy weekend as, at Howard Park BC, he teamed up with Steve Devonish and Sean Lassman to compete in three Basingstoke and District Finals. The weekend began well as, after a shaky start, Martin became the fourth Oakley player, in the last 20 years, to become the Singles Champion, beating John Arbon of Kingsclere 21-12. Martin's win ensured that, for the first time, Oakley players hold both the Basingstoke and Whitchurch District Singles titles.

Sunday morning was a different matter. Throughout the Two Bowl Triples Final, Martin, Steve and Sean struggled to find either line or length and were comprehensively beaten 17-6 by Alton Social. Would this set back have an impact on Steve and Martin in the afternoon's Pairs Final? It looked as if it might. They trailed 9-7 to Kingsclere's Steve Kendrew and John Arbon at which point a group of Oakley members, who had been involved in a Club event, arrived to support their team. From thereon there was only one team in it with Steve and Martin emerging winners by 25-10. Did the extra support make a difference - who knows but certainly Steve and Martin in the second half of the match raised their game to a different level.

Well done to everyone who took part in the weekend's finals. There was some excellent bowling and thanks go to BDBA President Tony Cooper and his club Howard Park for staging the event, and looking after us visitors