Janie Vickers of Oakley is through to the county quarter finals of the Two Wood Singles after defeating the reigning champion, Hazel Marke of Alton Social, writes Colin Statham.

Vickers will play at Banister Park on July 10.

Oakley’s ladies were, however, less successful in the national Top Club competition where, despite a fine display by Claire Flannigan in the singles, they were beaten 3-1 by the powerful Alton Social team.  

Oakley are the only local team remaining in the men’s Top club and in the Two Rink competition it is Old Basing flying the flag having already won three matches, the last being a 41-28 victory over Whitchurch.  

In national individual competitions Hook’s Andrew Lowe has, in the men’s Champion of Champions, beaten Paul Moss of Liphook 21-14 but Oakley’s Laura Butler, in the ladies’ event, suffered a 21-14 defeat by Cove’s Allyson Flint.

There was, however, consolation for Laura in the North Hants McFauld Pairs where she and partner Shirley Ball have reached what will be an all-Oakley final against Christine Williams and Valerie Ryan.

In the Whitchurch Mixed League, Andover Lions remain at the top of Division 1 though Basingstoke Spades, despite a 4-1 defeat to Oakley Buzzards, have two games in hand and remain in a strong position, Kingsclere Partridges top Division 2 with the unbeaten Old Basing Roundheads and Aldermaston Elms continuing at the top of Divisions 3 and 4.

In the Basingstoke and District Triples League Division 1, the 2022 champions Kingsclere and Oakley are unbeaten and Howard Park and Basingstoke Town are in the same position in Division 2.   

Kingsclere and Oakley also share the lead in Division 1 of the Fours League but the strong Alton Social team in third place look destined to take over the leadership as they are just one point behind with two games in hand.