FIXTURES & WEEKLY REPORT
Oakham Bowls Club W.E. 20th April 2025
A very pleasant sunny afternoon at the Vale was the setting for Oakham’s Thursday Teams first match of the new season against visitors Belvoir Vale. Played as Triples on four rinks the result was a resounding win for Oakham with a total of 89 shots to Belvoir Vales 43 shots.
Rink One for Oakham was skipped by Adrian Wilkinson with Jenny Owen as Lead and Sylvia Shalders at two. A steady start by both teams found them level with 4 shots each after six ends. Oakham then took the lead and five ends later held a 6 shot advantage. Belvoir Vale fought back and after fourteen ends the teams were again level on 12 shots each .A resurgent Oakham won the last four ends, and the game with 19 shots to Belvoir Vales 12.
Bob Spence was the lead on Rink three with Denis Smith at two and Mat Murrant as Skip. After seven ends Belvoir Vale held six shots, Oakham had five. The next two ends added five shots to Oakham’s tally giving them the lead Belvoir Vale took the tenth end with 2 shots, their last score of the game. The experienced Oakham Trio won the remaining eight ends adding 20 more shots to their score. The game finished with Oakham on 30 shots, Belvoir Vale on 8 shots.
Paul Murrant was the Skip on rink four with Carol Shelvey as lead and Derek Harper a two. Oakham were in command of this tie from the outset. By the fourth end they had built an 8 shot lead with Belvoir yet to score. The remaining ends were shared, winning seven each, but Oakham’s superior shot rate ensured them a comfortable win. Oakham finished with 23 shots, Belvoir Vale with 10.
Liz Naylor led on rink five with Barrie Payne at two and Eddie Owen as Skip. This game was the closest of the afternoon with just 4 shots the difference. After eleven ends Oakham were ahead by 1 shot but with two ends to play they had increased their lead to 9 shots. The last two ends were won by Belvoir Vale giving them an additional 5 shots. The final score was a win for Oakham on 17 shots with Belvoir Vale on 13 shots.
The Saturday team started their new seasons campaign with a Home match against Corby S&L. It was played as a Triples match on six rinks, Oakham won on four but the close match was won by Corby by just 7 shots Oakham on 100 shots, Corby on 107.
On rink one the Skip was Derek Harper with Barrie Payne as lead and Ros Carter at two at two After losing the first end Oakham took control of the game ,quickly established a solid lead which thy never relinquished, winning the tie holding 24 shots to Corby’s 11 shots.
The lead on rink two was Mike Creffield with Carol Shelvey at two and Colin Wagstaff as Skip. This was a close game for the first seven ends with Oakham on 4 shots and Corby ahead on 5 shots. Unfortunately, over the remaining eleven ends Oakham were only able to add 3 more shots to their total with the final score standing at Oakham on 7 shots, Corby winning with 26 shots.
Ian Maclan skipped on rink three with Julie Healey as lead and John Willcock at two. After four ends had been completed Corby held 6 shots, Oakham yet to score. By the tenth end a resilient Oakham had 12 shots, Corby 8 shots. Oakham hung on to their lead and despite Corby scoring 4 shots on the last end to close the gap to 1 shot, Oakham won with 17 shots, Corby with 16 shots.
Rink four had Jane May as lead with Jenny Owen at two and Denis Smith as Skip .It was the fifth end before Oakham registered a score with Corby on a 5 shot lead. Oakham persevered and got to within 1 shot two ends later. Scoring 6 shots on the next end gave Corby a comfortable cushion which kept then in front for the rest of the game. Oakham finished on 15 shots Corby on 23 shots.
Liz Naylor led on rink five with Nigel May on two and Eddie Owen was the Skip. This game produced the surprise of the afternoon After twelve ends Oakham were on 7 shots, 11 behind Corby who were on 18 shots. With six ends to play prospects did not look good for the Home team. Oakham dug deep, very deep, turned the game on it’s head to win all the remaining ends adding 16 shots to their winning score of 23 shots with Corby on 18 shots..
The Skip on rink six was Sean Biollo with Lee Saffron as lead and Janet Horwood at two. After a positive and winning start by Oakham this turned out to be a very close game . Corby levelled the game after seven ends but Oakham pressed on and with two ends to play held 14 shots, 3 shots in front. Corby won the last two ends but were restricted to scoring 1 shot from each end resulting in a win for Oakham on 14 shots, Corby on 13 shots.