Oakley overcome bowls trophy jinx

9:31am Tuesday 22nd April 2008

AFTER a number of near-misses over the years, Oakley finally lifted the prestigious Cusheon Trophy at Loddon Vale Indoor Bowling Club.

To reach the final of the winter tournament, Oakley had to overcome seven-times champions Egham, their conquerors in last year's final, in this year's semi-finals.

This was the first season that indoor clubs have been allowed to enter the competition and, having comfortably beaten Egham, Oakley came up against a side from host club Loddon Vale in the final.

At the start of the competition, the Oakley selectors had decided to leave out a number of their better-known outdoor players and instead choose their team from members who played regularly indoors.

Therefore the players from both sides knew each other well and the final was expected to be a competitive and close one.

Oakley got off to a good start and soon established an early lead of nine shots. The winning margin remained the same for the remainder of first half of the game.

Then the village club took control and eventually they triumphed by 46 shots to 17.

Speaking after the game, Oakley president Ric Newson said it had been a great thrill to be part of an Oakley team that had at last won the Cusheon Trophy.

He paid thanks to the club members who turned out each week to support the team.

The Oakley team in the final was Newson, Colin Carrier, Olive Carrier, Ted Brown, Terry Heath, Georgina Heath, Nancy Goosey and Phil Spreadbury, with Chris Heath as reserve.

Claire Spreadbury, Peter Stewart, Trevor Wearn and Eric Lamkin also played for Oakley in the earlier rounds.

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