Maureen Walters (lead) Janet Wright (second) and Nicola Elma (skip) of Oakham Bowling Club got to the National Bowls Finals in Leamington. They competed against teams from all the clubs in Leicestershire and were one of two teams representing Leicestershire in the Triples competition.
They played their first game against Somerset, which they won, on the afternoon of Saturday August 4th. They then returned the next day to take on a team from Durham. It was an exciting match as they pulled back from a losing position. On the very last bowl of the last end when they were 17-18 down, Nicola bowled a tremendous bowl to take the shot and force an extra end. The extra
end was just as exciting with the shot changing
sides with almost every bowl. Again with last bowl Nicola took the shot and the team went
Maureen Walters Nicola Elma & Janet Wright
Leamington August 2007
through to the next round against Bedfordshire.
That game was played in the afternoon, but unfortunately the Oakham team were beaten.
All credit is due to the players who tried their best throughout the matches, playing in very hot weather (for a change), which was affecting players and spectators alike.
On Tuesday August 8th Jean Mason (lead) and Nicola Elmer (skip), both of Oakham Bowls Club, took part in the pairs competition. Again they were one of two teams to represent Leicestershire. They won their first game and only lost their second game after forcing an extra end.
It is excellent that, of all the clubs in Leicestershire and Rutland who enter these competitions in order to get to the National Finals at Leamington, Oakham have two of the places. Well done ladies.
APB
Photo’s by Anne Preston-Bambridge, John Hawkins & Derek Bury
