HAVING qualified, in the Junior Singles and Junior Pairs, to represent Hampshire, at the Aviva National Bowls Finals, Oakley’s Alice Lovett has added the County Ladies Singles title to her burgeoning list of successes.

Playing against Janet Ballard of Waterside, Lovett had a comfortable 21-9 win meaning she is now the holder of both  the County Outdoor and Indoor titles.

There was, however, disappointment, for local clubs in other events. Basingstoke Town’s Martin Mason (substituting for Zak Miller) and Adam White lost in the final of the County Pairs and Town’s Anita Christian bowed out, at the last 32 stage, in the National Champion of Champions.  

READ MORE: Success for Basingstoke bowlers securing place in national finals

Also unsuccessful at that stage were Oakley’s Men, who, after their best ever run in the Top Club competition, were comprehensively out bowled by Surrey Champions Egham.

In the Men’s County team championships, Old Basing lost to Cove whilst Basingstoke Town have a rearranged game with Alton Social who recently defeated Town in the final of the Hants and Berks cup.  The Town Ladies, with a win over Whitchurch, and Oakley, with a win over Cove, have progressed in the Ladies County team championship.    

In the Basingstoke and District Men’s League matches, Division 1, Alton Social’s 3.5-0.5 victory away against nearest challengers Kingsclere has put them seven points clear at the top, whilst in Division 2 Basingstoke Town “B”, with victory over Oakley “B”, have been confirmed as the 2024 Champions. 

Town “A”  with a 5-0 win over Burghfield remain well placed at the top of Division 1 of the Mixed Triples League but in Division 2 a shock 4-1 home defeat for Town “B” against Old Basing “B” saw St Mary Bourne draw level with Town “B” at the top.

In the Whitchurch Mixed Triples League Division 1, leaders Basingstoke Spades beat Oakley Buzzards 4-1 but Littleton Leopards, also winning 4-1, kept up the pressure on the leaders.  

Alton Social remain top of Division 2 but a 4.5 to 0.5 home defeat by Old Basing Royalists has reduced their lead to 5.5 points over Basingstoke Jesters who have three matches in hand.

Kingsclere Partridges lead Division 3 by six points but Andover Eagles missed the opportunity to close the gap as they lost 4-1 to Aldermaston Oaks.   

In Division 4, long time leaders Marnell Jades look set for promotion but a late run by Basingstoke Hearts has moved them into second place.