The mixed section played their final game of the season, against the Moonrakers at Highworth Bowls Club. Our hosts were excellent and the meal was worth doing the trip.
The game was close overall, with each team winning 3 rinks each: Rinks 1, 2 & 3 all won, and Rinks 4,5 & 6 went in the Moonrakers favour. However, the final score was a win for Oxfordshire by 101 - 94 shots. Well done to all in the Oxfordshire team, as this was a good result as they fielded a strong team.
On Rink 1, Brian Clarke, Gary Smith, Lynda Boyd and John Standen, had the best winning score, with some high scoring ends and finishing 23-11 against their opponents. Rink 2 got off to a good start with 6 shots on the first two ends and they were never behind, despite a rally by the opponents in the third section of the match, recording a 18-15 win. Annie Bristow skipped, with veteran John Benfield, Ron Smith and Sue Mayo. Well done.
On rink 3, Sharon Smith, Terry Thomas, Cynthia Briant and John Hurren found the green tricky throughout, but with good contributions made by each player, they won by 17-11. Rink 4 was the Presidents rink and Dave Longhurst (the Moonrakers President) selected some talented players to back him up. They got off to a good start and were 10 -0 up after the first 4 ends. Our Presidents team managed to win 7 ends overall, but Nick Baldwin, Barbara Singh, Alan Scholan and Caroline Bloomfield lost 10-21 overall.
Rink 5 was a close game, with each team winning 9 ends each. Our team: Clive Bristow, Richard Morris, Elaine Robinson & Tim Jupp were 3 shots down going into the last end, but unfortunately they only managed 2 shots on the last end, which gave the win to Peter Sanders' team of Wiltshire bowlers. Finally, Rink 6 consisting of Val thomas, Geoff Smith, Cilla Clarke and Brian Bloomfield, who won 6 shots on the last end, which will give them something positive to remember, but unfortunately they were 8 shots down going into the last end. The result was a victory for the Moonrakers 17-19, but the last end contributed nicely to the overall scores.
After the very delicious dinner, Alan Scholan awarded colts badges to Clive Bristow, Nick Baldwin and Sharon Smith. He congratulated the team for yet another win and thanked all the Oxfordshire Squad for a successful and enjoyable summer.
We will be playing the Moonrakers again on the August bank holiday monday next year, when we will host the event.
Finally may I add my personal thanks to everyone involved during the mixed team's season and helped to confirm there is a place for mixed teams within the county's structure. John.