Tony Allcock – 20th July

A victory 23 -11 by the rink of Lesley, Gordon, Hazel & Dave against Oakley left the rink of Gary C Johnson, Prue, John K and Margaret to finish after 14 ends 14 – 13 ahead.

Area final next on neutral green against Fareham B or Rowner.

Extra End again in Hants & Berks – 18th July

Social played Basingstoke Town today.

The first rink to finish were Dick Holden, Marc Gorman, Ian Urquhart and John Kellow who lost by 1 shot.

Dave Atwell with Geoff Topp, Gary Johnson and Gordon Summerhill succeed to win 20 – 17 giving us a five shot advantage.

The rink of Reece Graham, Derek Ham, Gary M Johnson and Mark Fyfield were leading by 3 but still had two ends to play. Both ends went against us as Town scored a 3 followed by 2 to force the extra end.

The Kellow rink had been drawn to play the extra end before the match started, so after a 15 minute break from when they finished it was out on the rink again to complete the match.

Town had  first wood but after the first 3 on  each side had bowled Social held 4 shots which were all within a yard of the jack. Town skipper, Richard Burgin, drew a wood within 3 inches of the jack to hold shot. John matched his wood to leave a tight measure. Town were unable to alter the head with their final wood and the Social players agreed that it looked as if we held shot so we trusted the measure which was won by less than 1/4 inch.

Final will be against Kingsclere, who beat Alton in the other semi-final.

Hampshire Area Finalists Going to Leamington – 16th July

Congratulations to the following who have reached area finals.

Ladies Singles: Kate Fyfield and Margaret  Holden

Ladies Pairs: Kate Fyfield & Alice Atwell

Ladies Senior Fours: Lesley Johnson, Alice Atwell, Hazel Marke & Margaret Holden

Men’s Singles: Adam White

Men’s Senior Fours: Gary Johnson, Dick Holden, John Kellow & Dave Atwell

Men’s Golden Pairs: Gary Johnson & Dick Holden

Groundhog Day in Mixed Top Club – 13 July

Singles victories for Caroline Goodeve, 21-5 and Adam White 21-7 gave Alton Social a good start against opponents Kingsclere.

Unfortunately the pairs and triples were lost so it was down to the rink of Lesley Johnson, Alice Atwell, Gordon Summerhill and John Kellow to decide the match.

After 16 ends Kingsclere led the rink, 16 – 11. Social succeeded in winning the next 4 ends to lead 18 -16 going into the last end. We held a 1 shot advantage with just the last wood to be bowled by Kingsclere who managed to push out our shot  to force an extra end.

Both sides held sway at different points in the extra end. With the skips still to bowl Kingsclere held 2 shots. John managed to hit  the jack back to hold one and added a second with his other wood, which the opposition were unable to beat. (20 -18).

Result win 3 -2.