Oakley Bowling Club

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Oakley Bowling Club

Oakley Bowling Club is an outdoor club located at Malshanger near Basingstoke.

Winners of the Drakes Pride/Bowls England Club of the Year Award in 2013 the club plays social,league and competitive bowls throughout the summer

09/10/2026

HECTIC TIME AT OAKLEY BOWLING CLUB
No sooner had the season ended, than volunteer members and Avonmore our contractors were carrying out the many tasks necessary to ensure our green is in tip top condition for the 2027 season. Last week our volunteers worked so hard ensuring, amongst many things, that the
outdoor seating and tables went into storage, benches were covered with tarpaulins and that the rubber ditch mats were collected up, jet washed and dried prior to also being put into storage. The irrigation system was drained down.
The green was now ready for our contractors who, on Wednesday scarified the green, using two ride-on machines, which criss-crossed the green in various directions for about an hour. Next the green was hollow cored before it was slit to aid grass seeding and mown to collect up any debris not already collected. Fungicidal spray was then applied before the green was over seeded and 6 tonnes of top dressing applied by machine. Finally, the top dressing was manually evened out pushing the top dressing into the core holes.
All this work was completed over a 4-hour period. We dread to think how long it might have taken if, as up to a few years ago, members had carried out this work themselves. Well done John Yarrall who arranged and oversaw everything.

27/09/2026

FUN FINALE AT OAKLEY
It was a brilliant sunny day as we met up yesterday for our final event of the 2026 season - the annual President vs Vice President match. Always a fun occasion, this year was no different as, on six rinks, members engaged in friendly but keen competition with the President's team coming out on top. Following the match, everyone moved over to the Malshanger Clubhouse, where President Di and Vice Presidents Kay and Spencer had arranged and supplied drinks and food for everyone. The excellent Chilli, provided by Graham, was much appreciated and following it Fred Norris proposed a vote of thanks to the President and Vices for looking after members so well. In response, Di thanked everyone for their support over the season, said how much she had enjoyed her year of office and wished members success should they be playing indoors. Captain Hugh then made a surprise presentation to Marilyn Stanhope, the only member to have participated in all friendlies in 2026. We finished by reminiscing about what had been a successful season and then it was time for home. Roll on the 2027 season.

24/09/2026

CANDLELIGHT BOWLS
Well done to more than 50 members who turned out last night for the Candlelight Bowls The weather stayed fine and as the evening progressed and the light faded the bowling allegedly improved!!’
Thanks go to all those who organised the evening, collected the fish and chip suppers and staffed the bar. Another enjoyable evening.

19/09/2026

Yesterday evening, Oakley bowlers returned from another enjoyable tour arranged for us by our President Diane Yarrall. On Monday we were picked up by Dartline for the trip to Dawlish Warren and the Langstone Cliff hotel where, that evening, we experienced, for the first time, the excellent and wide choice of food provided by the hotel. During our four night stay at the hotel we played matches against Dawlish Marina, Bitton Park and Dawlish Bowling Club, two of which we had visited on our tour twenty five years ago. Results were mixed, one win, one narrow loss and one big defeat but perhaps the most memorable moment came when Peter Bown's bowl split in two when half way down the green. The Farewell Dinner on the Thursday evening saw President Diane present gifts to those who had helped arrange her tour before new tourist Ken Phillips, on behalf of all 45 tourists, thanked Di and presented her with a gift to acknowldge all her hard work in arranging the tour. Our Friday departure was delayed by almost 45 minutes as we loaded one coach only to have to unload it again when a second vehicle arrived. Then we hit horrendous traffic so our final match had to be reduced to 14 ends. We lost but Amesbury were wonderful hosts providing an excellent two course meal before we boarded the coach for the short trip back to Oakley. Diane brought the tour to a close by announcing that the trophy, for the most misdemeanours on tour, had been won jointly by Hugh Aherne and Ric Newson and that the fines for Black Marks (and other activities) meant that over £240 would, with the addition of a generous £75 donation, now go to St Michael's Hospice. Diane also reported that the Trophy for the best results on tour had been won by Hugh Aherne. We now look forward to the 2027 tour to Portugal.

13/09/2026

NEW WINNERS OF COUNTY TOP MIXED CLUB
Today's semi- finals and final of the County Mixed Top Club saw Oakley taking on Fareham in a repeat of the 2022 semi final whilst previous winners Boscombe Cliff took on Follands who had reached this stage for the first time. Oakley made a good start with Martin Vickers and Mary Varndell having comfortable wins in the singles disciplines but the triple of Sue Dixon, Spencer Kerley and Steve Devonish and the pairs of Janie Vickers and Sean Lassman both went down to defeat, so the scores were tied at 2-2. Fortunately, however, for Oakley the four of Christine Williams, Angie Rowe, Rolf Denny and Ric Newson had an 8 shot lead going into the final end leading to Oakley winning overall by 3 disciplines to 2. In the Final against Boscombe Cliff, Oakley again took both singles disciplines but, for most of the match, Boscombe Cliff were leading in the other 3 disciplines. Boscombe Cliff won comfortably both the triple and fours and leading 16-13 in the pairs they looked on course to take the title. Somehow, however, Janie and Sean conjured up a score and went into the last end two shots up. Could they hold on? Both sides and the spectators held their breath, it went to the wire. As the last bowl was delivered Boscombe needed it to count to take the match to an extra end. It was just short. Oakley are the 2026 County Mixed Top Club Champions.
The club's congratulations go to all 11 players, our reserves and to Laura Butler, Bob Goodyear and Graham Tompkins who made important contributions in earlier rounds in what has been a fine team effort. Our commiserations and thanks go to our opponents. Both games were played in a sporting manner and both could have gone either way. Thank you also to President Diane and our supporters. It was an enjoyable day we shall not forget.

12/09/2026

NO JOY AT NORTH HANTS FINALS
Oakley's Ladies were so close to picking up three trophies at the North Hants Women's Finals but, in the end, returned home, from Alton Social, empty handed. The four of Diane Yarrall, Wendy Aherne, Sue Dixon and Janie Vickers started well, leadng 7-5 at halfway. A three on the tenth end put Fleet United ahead, for the first time, but Oakley recovered the lead with a four only to immediately drop another three. From there, scores were restricted to single shots but on the 17th end Oakley dropped another three and this proved decisive as Fleet ran out winners 17-15. The Two Bowl Singles, played over the short format of 15 ends, saw Laura Butler 3 down with 2 ends to play but, although she picked up a single on the 14th end, she was unable to pick up the necessary two to take the match to an extra end and perhaps deny Cove's Sarah Knight the title. In the Pairs, Mary Varndell and Janie Vickers made a poor start against Fleet United. Gradually they got back into the match and, on the 16th end, with one bowl to play they held a four that would have put them into the lead for the first time. Sadly for Oakley, it was Fleet's Sharon Dunt who had that last bowls and when she cut the score to two, the match was tied, just as it was in the earlier Fours. This time both teams scored singles so the match went to an extra end and, although Oakley won the toss to give them the last bowl, Fleet comfortably controlled the end to emerge as winners. Commiserations to our players. Congratulations to our opponents and thank you to the Oakley members who travelled to Alton to support our players.

09/09/2026

FIRST TITLE FOR SUE AND PETER
Today saw the Club staging the Drawn Fours, the final one day competition of the season, and, unlike 2025 we were blessed with dry, if occasionally, chilly weather. Forty players competed in two leagues of five teams and the bowling was of such a standard that as the last round of matches began it was impossible to predict who would contest the final, with no team being unbeaten. The final saw Lesley Dumelow, Roy Holland, Richard Startin and Bob Goodyear take on Sue Beckell, Peter Galer, Sue Dixon and last year's runner up Ted Trantum. It was so close. Playing the final end the scores were tied, but a two for Ted's rink was enough to give them the title. Thanks go to Kay Kerley for organising a very enjoyable day which ended with surprise drinks, courtesy of Val and John Ryan, who we congratulate on celebrating their Diamond Wedding Anniversary..

05/09/2026

SUE AND SEAN RETAIN OAKLEY TITLES
Oakley's Finals were played today in glorious sunshine. The Open Singles saw the recently crowned Basingstoke and District champion, Martin Vickers become the sixth person, in the last six years, to lift the title as he defeated Steve Devonish 21-12. The Men's Singles saw Bob Goodyear, the runner up in 2025, looking to go one better as he took on Spencer Kerley with the two of them having 120 years bowling experience between them. It was Bob who won comfortably 21-12. The Ladies Singles was a repeat of 2025 in so many ways. Sue Dixon, as last year, took a good early lead but Janie Vickers fought back and for the second successive year they were tied at 20-20. It was again Sue who claimed the critical final shot to retain her title and make it three wins in four years. Also looking to retain his title was Sean Lassman in the Two Bowl Singles. Up against him was Peter Pearce, the runner up in 2025. It was Sean who came out on top 17-5 to achieve victory. The final match was a repeat of 2025 and saw Sean and Janie back on the green for the Open Pairs Final against the holders Angie Rowe and Rolf Denny. The early ends were shared but a four on the sixth end put Janie and Sean in the driving seat and they went on to win 19-12. Congratulations go to all the competitors and to those who came to watch a festival of bowling.

31/08/2026

DOUBLE DELIGHT AT BASING
Fresh from their successes, yesterday, in the County Mixed Top Club, Mary Varndell and Janie Vickers took to the green, this morning, at Old Basing looking to book a place in the Final of the North Hampshire Women's BA Pairs. They began badly losing a five on the first end to Basingstoke Town's Tracy Thomas and Paula Haynes but the Oakley duo clawed their way back and came through with a 16-14 victory. The afternoon saw Janie take to the green again as she joined up with Diane Yarrall, Wendy Aherne and Sue Dixon as they attempted to reach the Fours Final which they had won in 2025. The task in front of them was a difficult one as they took on an Alton Social rink, containing three players who had been part of the Hampshire team that, just two weeks ago, finished runner up in the Walker Cup . The match was close throughout but with score at 9-10 at 14 ends Oakley picked up a 2 and then scored 3 successive singles to go into the final end 4 shots up. Would it be enough? With only one bowl in the head, the spectators were on tenterhooks but Social were unable to remove it and Oakley came through. Well done to all our players and thank you to the Oakley members who came along to support.

30/08/2026

MIXED TOP CLUB GOES TO THE WIRE
This morning Oakley travelled to Cove to take on Fleet United looking for a place in the semi final of the County Mixed Top Club event. With points available for each of the five disciplines Oakley made a strong start in the Fours but Fleet were having the better of the Ladies' singles and with the other three disciplines close it was for a long time anyone's match. The first point went to Oakley as Martin Vickers, in a high quality match, overcame Ian White, but Fleet soon levelled as Sharron Dunt beat Laura Butler. The Oakley Four of Mary Varndell, Christine Williams, Ric Newson and Graham Tompkins took the next point when the Fleet four conceded after a morning when nothing went right for them. Fleet levelled the score at 2-2 as the Oakley triple of Sue Dixon, Spencer Kerley and Steve Devonish faded away over the last 4 ends. All eyes were now on the Pairs which, at midway, had been tied 7-7. The pressure was on but Janie Vickers and Sean Lassman rose to the occasion clinching a 3-2 victory for Oakley who will now play in the semi final at Banister Park on 13th Sept. Well played both teams and thank you to the Oakley members who travelled to Cove to support the team.

Address

Oakley Bowling Club, Malshanger
Basingstoke
RG237EY

Website

http://www.oakleybc.org.uk/

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