Members of bowling clubs in Basingstoke faced a series of ups and downs in county competitions last week, writes Colin Statham.

For Oakley’s Janie Vickers this was particularly true.  With victories over players from Lee-on-the Solent and King’s Park, Bournemouth, she has reached the County Final of the Women’s Two Bowl Singles and will now represent Hampshire at the National Finals  in Leamington in August.  

Janie had, however, less success in other events.  At quarter final stage she and partner Mary Varndell were eliminated by Milton Park, Portsmouth and, at the same stage, in the Fours, Milton Park also accounted for her, Varndell and team mates Angie Rowe and Sue Dixon.

The County quarter finals also saw an agonising last bowl defeat for the Oakley pair of Steve Devonish and Sean Lassman at the hands of Alexandra Park, Portsmouth.

READ MORE: Oakley's Janie Vickers reaches county quarter finals

The Basingstoke Town four of Zac Miller, Ian Wilson, Trevor Morgan and Rich Burgin defeated Alexandra to reach the semi final but missed out on a trip to Leamington as they went down to defeat by Boscombe Cliff. 

The Town has, however, one more chance of success as Paula Haynes, has beaten Farnborough in the Northern Area Final of the Singles and will next week play in the quarter finals.  

In team events Oakley, after hard fought victories over Basingstoke Town and Howard Park have reached the quarter finals of the County mixed Top Club event where they will play either Cove or Alton Social.  

In the Ladies Club Championship, the Thornbery Trophy, Basingstoke Town have beaten Old Basing and Oakley overcame Fleet United.

SEE ALSO: Two Basingstoke roads to be closed for patch works

The Basingstoke Triples League saw Oakley remain top of Division 1 after a victory away at Burghfield but Champions Kingsclere, in second place have 2 matches in hand and kept up the pressure with a 5-0 victory against Whitchurch.  

In Division 2 unbeaten leaders Basingstoke Town stretched their winning run to 9 games after a 3-2 win against Hook but second placed Howard Park missed a chance to close the gap as they went down to defeat to St Mary Bourne.

Leaders in Division 1 of the Whitchurch Mixed League, Basingstoke Spades went down to a 5-0 defeat to Old Basing Cavaliers, giving hope to the chasing clubs.  

Kingsclere Partridges and unbeaten Old Basing Roundhead continue to dominate Divisions 2 and 3.  Aldermaston Elms, whose  lead in Division 4 was at one stage cut to half a point have re-established themselves at the top after a big 5-0 win over Oakley.