LODDON Vale’s Nicole Rogers made it to the last eight of the English Indoor Bowling Association under-25s ladies finals at White Oak Indoor Bowling Club at Swanley, Kent.

Unfortunately, she then came up against the reigning world champion, Katherine Rednall from Ipswich, and was beaten in straight sets.

Rogers opened her campaign in Kent with a straight-sets victory over Egerton Park’s Joanna Watt.

Elsewhere at the club, Loddon Vale men climbed off the foot of the table in the Trisham League after beating Bannister Park 84-73 last Saturday.

They won on three rinks thanks to Steve Foyle (20-19), John Holmes (21-18) and Gary Lovett (31-11). Ian Laming lost his match 25-12.

In the afternoon, Vale hosted a match against a Gloucester Vice President’s touring side that proved to be very challenging, with both teams keeping the overall score close throughout.

Vale managed to win 168-158 and to confirm how close the match proved to be, the home side only lost on two rinks out of eight.

Karen Winter scraped a 20-19 win on the last end, while the other winning rinks were Frank Fuller (20-18), Ray Ogg (29-14), Fred Goddard (31-11) and June Harvie (23-20).

The two losing rinks were Billy McCreadie (42-10) and John Hilton (22-12).

This weekend, the men play Rivermead in the Wessex League, the Ladies play Five Rivers in the Riversmeet League and the club welcome Thameside Wanderers for their bi-annual friendly match.