Oakley Bowling Club

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.

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.

WET WEATHER PLANS SAVE BBQ
After such a dry summer, the Gods decided to provide persistant rain for our annual BBQ at Malshanger, but It did not daunt our Social Committee who switched to the wet weather plan. Fifteen members turned up in the morning to transform the clubhouse so that when we arrived in the afternoon both the lounge and function room had been decorated with a Caribbean theme. Sixty members, suitably garlanded, had a wonderful afternoon as we participated in the various activities laid on by the Social Committee, before enjoying a wonderful BBQ served for us by Graham and Amanda. Caribbean Jerk Chicken, Jerk Burger, Pork Ribs followed by Caribbean Pavlova and Glazed Pineapple, what a feast. Throughout the afternoon we were well looked after with home made cocktails andby the rotating bar team. Thanks go to Wendy, the Social Committee and all those members who worked so hard to provide a memorable afternoon.

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 c***r and yesterday our visitors from Ilminster in Somerset, with help from our members, did just that. (What would Adge have made of Zero C***r?!!) 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.