Oakley Bowling Club

NOVICE SINGLES GOES TO THE WIRE
Yesterday, on a dry sunny day, sixteen members took part in the now annual one day Acorn (Novices) competition. Split into 4 leagues of 4 and playing 3 matches of 8 ends, Justin McRae and Colin Godfrey secured their places in the semi-finals with 3 victories with the other two leagues being won by Wendy Aherne and Rod Walters who won two games and qualified as they had better shot differences than Tom Cawley and Tracey Critchell. Both semi finals were closely contested with the result depending, in both cases on the last end with Wendy and Colin progressing to the final. This could not have been closer. The scores were level after 8 ends. An extra end was required. Colin went first and after his four bowls he lay shot. A fine last bowl by Wendy picked up the jack but fortune was not on her side as the jack bounced to Colin's bowl enabling him to win the event in which he was runner up in 2025.

Thanks go to all who participated. It was good to see members taking part who joined only in July. Thanks go also to the spectatators who stayed on to watch the final and, of course, to those who organised a very enjoyable day.

SUCCESS AT DISTRICT FINALS
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.

THANK YOU to THE BOROUGH COUNCIL
The Club has received a £500 grant from the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Councillors Grant Scheme that has enabled us to buy a new mower to cut the large grass areas surrounding the green. Maintaining our facilities to high standards is a costly business so thanks go to our local councillors – Cllr Connor and Cllr Rowley – who supported us in being awarded the funding. Thanks go also to Colin who worked so hard in preparing and progressing the application. Now all we need is RAIN so the greens team can use the new machine.

CONGRATULATIONS OAKLEY A
Tonights victory by Howard Park over Basingstoke Town A means Oakley A are the 2026 Basingstoke and District Triples League Premier Division champions. After finishing runners up in recent seasons captain John and all his players should be very proud of their achievement.

WHAT A FINAL
This afternoon's all Oakley Final of the Whitchurch and District Singles was so close. Rolf Denny roared out to a 16-6 lead but Steve Devonish staged a thrilling come back and when at 18-19 he looked to be holding 3 shots it seemed as if a big comeback was complete. However, the measure went against him so he led 20-19. The next end saw Rolf save the game with his last bowl so 20-20 it was. The final end saw the shot change hands five times but it was Rolf who emerged as the 2026 champion. Congratulations to both players on giving us such an exciting game. In lifting the title, Rolf became the 6th Oakley winner in the last 20 years but surprisingly it was also the third occasion on which both finalists had come from our Club.

DRINK UP THY ZYDER
The old Adge Cutler and the Wurzels song encouraged everyone to drink up their cider and yesterday our visitors from Ilminster in Somerset, with help from our members, did just that. (What would Adge have made of Zero Cider?!!) Led by former Oakley member Terry Heath, Ilminster had breakfast at their own club, before travelling to Oakley, with a stop off en route at Bombay Sapphire. The gin tasting did not, however, affect their play and in a 7 rink match, they beat us handsomely winning on 5 of the rinks, the only consolation being that President Diane's rink managed a win against Terry. Following the match, as both teams socialised Graham provided us, as normal, with an excellent buffet and thanks go to him, to Wendy and Geoff, who kept the drinks flowing and all the members who helped to make the day such a success. We hope Ilminster, on whose green we have played many times, on our way back from tours, enjoyed their first visit to Oakley and hopefully it will not be too long before we meet up again.

A SUCCESSFUL TUESDAY
Congratulations to Oakley Ladies who have, this evening, been confirmed as the Ladies League champions for 2026, a title Oakley last won in 2015. We needed Basingstoke Town Ladies, in the last match of the season, to have a winning rink against Andover and they duly achieved that result, enabling Oakley to sn**ch the title on shots difference. Well done Oakley Ladies and captain Christine.
Not to be oudone, it was a good day also for the men. Congratulations to Martin Vickers who, this afternoon, beat Stephen Bailey of Old Basing 21-15 to reach the Basingstoke and District Singles final and then this evening, teamed up with Steve Devonish to beat Alton Social's Rich Burgin and Mark Fyfield 19-16 to reach the District Pairs Final.

A WEEK IS A LONG TIME IN BOWLS.
Less than 7 days ago Oakley's Sue Dixon and Janie Vickers were 10-1 down in the quarter final of the County's Golden Girls competition and their chances of reaching the semi final for the third time in 4 years looked slim. A stirring comeback that evening got them today to Banister Park where they took on first the experienced Johns Tophy players Carol Bloomfield and Janet Ballard of Waterside. A close encounter was expected but Oakley were on fire and nothing Waterside attempted came off and the match ended early with Oakley leading by 19-3. The afternoon's final saw Oakley take on Jennie Hurrell and Barbara Roles of Moordown. A good start saw Oakley lead 6-2 only for Moordown to score 4 shots and tie the score. Oakley moved ahead 13-6 but another loss of 4 shots saw Moordown back in the game. The 13th end proved pivotal as Oakley picked up the six that enabled them to win 20-14. It was a fine game, thoroughly enjoyed by the spectators. Our congratulations go to all four players but particularly to Sue and Janie who, not only claimed the County title for the second time but also extended Oakley's successful run which has seen us lift a County title every year since 2017.

Congratulations Sue Dixon and Janie Vickers who this morning have bowled superbly to beat Waterside’s Carol Bloomfield and Janet Ballard 19 3 to reach this afternoon’s final of the County Golden Pairs

COULD TITLE BE GUARANTEED?
With Oakley players contesting both semi-finals of the Whitchurch and District Singles, there was a possibility that, if the results went their way, Oakley might be guaranteed the winner of the 2026 event. Steve Devonish delivered a win with a comfortable 21-4 victory over Kingsclere's John Arbon but Rolf Denny was involved in a very close encounter with Basingstoke Town's Steve Harris. Eventually, however, Rolf triumphed 21-18 to ensure that the eventual winner will be from Oakley. Well done both players and good luck in the final to be played on16th August