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- Summer tour
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- Gazette Cup
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- Oakley general bowls
As you read this the outdoor lawn bowls season will just be starting at Oakley Bowling Club, one of Hampshire’s premier bowls clubs, based on the Downs at Malshanger.
Janie & Sue
The 2023 outdoor season saw varied success on the competitive front along with an active friendly and social season. Some of the highlights were:
- Janie Vickers ensured for the 8th year running Oakley had representation at the Bowls England National Finals at Royal Leamington Spa playing in the 2 wood Singles. Unfortunately, she lost in the second round to England International Katherine Hawes-Watts.
- Sue Dixon and Janie Vickers became the first Oakley players to win the County’s Golden Girls event – a competition for those over the age of 70 – beating Lee-on-Solent in the final.
- For the first time since 2009 Oakley Ladies lifted the Gazette Cup beating Fleet United 57-34.
- In the Whitchurch and District finals Oakley lifted two trophies – the mixed triples and the open pairs.
- On the social side we had several touring clubs come and play friendlies with Oakley also playing away friendlies also. The club had its annual garden party and a very successful tour to Eastbourne.
Alice, Champ of Champs
The winter season saw several Oakley players playing indoors. The success of note was Alice Lovett, one of Oakley’s junior members, lifting the indoor National Champion of Champions beating two England Internationals, including in the final Morgan Merryweather 21-19.
The club reinstated weekly winter social evenings at the Malshanger Club House with alternating bingo and quiz events each week and occasional games evenings. This is in addition to the regular indoor short mat sessions.
If this has whetted your appetite young or old then give bowls a try and come to an Oakley Bowling Club Open Day on either Saturday 27th April or Saturday 25th May from 10am to 4pm. Age 12 and upwards. Only need to bring flat soled shoes or trainers. The Club’s green is reached from the B3400, turning right at the Beach Arms Hotel, and following the signs to the Club. Bowls is a game that all the family can play and it is inexpensive. A full year’s subscription is £75, but, first year members pay a reduced rate of £30 which includes a free club shirt and a £20 discount off club shorts. Juniors pay even less.