FIXTURES & WEEKLY REPORT
Oakham Bowls Club W.E. 30th June 2025
The Thursday team played an away match against Belgrave in Leicester,. It was played in triples format on three rinks over eighteen ends. Due to illness one of the Oakham bowlers had to withdraw but Belgrave kindly provided a stand in player. The match ended with Oakham’s only second defeat of the season - Oakham with 33 shots, Belgrave with 45.
Rink one for Oakham was Skipped by Ray Gregory with Sylvia Shalders as lead and Mike Shalders at two. The first three ends were won by Oakham but Belgrave fought back and at the tea break, after nine ends, Oakham were on 6 shots, Belgrave on 8 shots. The break rejuvenated the Visitors who took control of the game over the last nine ends, only dropping 2 shots. Oakham won with 19 shots, Belgrave with 10shots.
David Semple led on rink two with Alan Pearson (Belgrave) at two and the Skip was Colin Wagstaff. It took till the fourth end for Oakham to open their account but at the break they were just 1 shot behind their Hosts. Unfortunately it was Belgrave who benefitted from the tea as they dominated the second half of the game. Oakham could only add 2 more shots to their score finishing on 7 shots to Belgrave’s winning 21 shots.
Eddie Owen skipped rink three with Liz Naylor as lead and Denis Smith at two. This game was a tough one for Oakham with the Belgrave lead having a very good game and hardly missing a shot. After nine ends Oakham were on 2 shots, Belgrave on 10 shots. A determined Oakham trio won five of the remaining ends but only added single shots on each as did Belgrave who won four ends . Oakham ended on 7 shots, Belgrave on 14 shots.
This week Oakham’s Saturday team also had an away match with Goodwood in Leicester. Due to the very hot conditions the match, played on four rinks, was reduced to fifteen ends . Rink four played most of their match without their Skip who was suffering from sunstroke. The result was close, the visitors losing by just 2 shots. Oakham on 54 shots, Goodwood on 56 shots.
Oakham’s rink two had John Willcock as lead, Sylvia Shalders at two, Mike Shalders at three and Eddie Owen was the Skip. The Oakham quartet took an early lead and with 5 shots on the fifth end gave themselves a comfortable cushion. After eleven ends Oakham were holding 18 shots with Goodwood holding 4 shots. The heat was now affecting the visitors and Goodwood took advantage winning three of the remaining four ends. However, Oakham’s earlier successes ensured that they retained the lead winning the game with 21 shots to Goodwood’s 10 shots.
Rink three was Skipped by Nigel May with Jane May as lead, Lesley Webster at two and Janet Horwood at three. This game was controlled by Oakham from the outset. A well worked 5 shots on the third end gave them a 5 shot lead which kept the opposition in check for the remainder of the game. Goodwood scored 4 shots on the thirteenth end followed by a 3 on the fourteenth but Oakham were already ‘home and dry’, winning the game holding 18 shots to Goodwood’s 12 shots.
Lyn Scott led on rink four with Ros Carter at two and Colin Wagstaff as Skip. Unfortunately Colin was suffering from sunstroke and had to withdraw early on in the game. This left Lyn and Ros facing the three Goodwood bowlers, not an easy task. On the fifth end Oakham managed to open their account and went on to win four of the remaining ends with Goodwood winning five ends. The final tally was Oakham with 8 shots, Goodwood with 11 shots. A loss for the visitors but a very creditable performance from the two Oakham ladies.
Denis Smith Skipped on rink five with Liz Naylor as lead and John McFadden at two. Oakham had to deal with, not only the hot conditions, but a very strong Goodwood team. After winning the first end of the game Oakham were subjected to somewhat of a battering and were only able to win three more ends. Goodwood continued to build a substantial lead and the game ended with Oakham holding 7 shots, Goodwood holding 23 shots.
