NICOLE Rogers continued Loddon Vale Bowls Club’s youngsters’ successful run in national competitions as she reached the finals of the ladies under-25 singles.

The 16-year-old beat an England international to go into the last 16 and will now take on the cream of England under-25s at White Oak IBC, Swale, Kent, on January 24 and 25.

Loddon Vale’s men beat East Dorset in the Trisham by two shots, with John Holmes (22-15) and Ian Laming (29-13) both winning. Ray Harris lost 24-14 and Steve Foyle went down 24-13.

At the same time last Saturday, a Vale team lost in the London and Southern Counties competition to West Berks.

In the afternoon a friendly saw Vale beat West Berks 109-106.

The winning rinks were Alan Smith (21-17), Ray Ogg (21-12) and, Mick Jones (20-13). Losing rinks were Arthur Peters (22-13), Sheila Girle (19-16) and Jim Rainbow (23-18).

Vale won Sunday’s friendly against Basingstoke Town 99-87.

They won on two rinks thanks to June Harvie (32-5) and Holmes (24-5). The losing rinks were Peters (21-17), Laming (16-8), Ogg (20-10) and Fuller (20-8).

The previous Thursday, Vale won a friendly match 153-115 against AD Finum, a team made up of players from around the Heathrow area.

The home side’s winning rinks were skipped by Smith (20-13), Brian Ambler (25-11), Girle (27-18), Laming (20-18), Bernie Rouse (19-18) and Frank Fuller (28-17). There was one losing rink, Paul Knowles going down 20-14.

The Whitchurch League held its annual general meeting last week, when it was agreed to purchase a new trophy for the league championship.

The old cup will now be retired to the safekeeping of the present holders Kingsclere.