The Basingstoke and District Men's League season saw Kingsclere travel to Oakley, needing 3.5 points to overtake reigning champions Alton Social and lift the prestigious Division 1 Rinks title. It was not to be however. Holding, on the last end, the three shots needed to clinch victory and pick up the necessary points, they were denied by Oakley's Martin Vickers' last bowl. Not only did this give his rink a victory but it also turned the overall score to 3.5 points to 0.5 in favour of Oakley, leaving Kingsclere as runners up. Alton and Whitchurch have been relegated with their places for 2025 being taken by Basingstoke Town "B" and Alton Social "B".
There was no such drama in the Whitchurch Mixed League, where Basingstoke Town Spades lifted the Division 1 title, with Oakley Woodpeckers and Whitchurch Yellows being relegated. Their places will be taken by Basingstoke Jesters and Alton Social. Relegated from Division 2 are Littleton Lemurs and Hook Foxes, their places being taken by Aldermaston Elms and Kingsclere Pheasants, the latter pipping Andover Eagles on shot difference. Littleton Lions and Howard Park Harriers have been relegated from Division 3, their places being taken by Marnell Jades and Basingstoke Hearts.
There was more success for Basingstoke Town in the Stan Hardman Thursday afternoon Mixed Triples League. Having stormed through the playoffs, they comprehensively out bowled Yateley Beeches to lift the SH Shield.
Competitions are also coming to a close but there was little success for bowlers from local clubs representing Hampshire at the National Finals in Leamington Spa. Oakley's Alice Lovett, partnered by Portsmouth's Grace Reed, reached the quarter final of the Junior Pairs and won one match in the Singles, as did Town's Rachel Powell in the Senior Singles. Lovett, however, was beaten in her first match in the Junior Singles, as were Basingstoke Town's Zach Millar and Adam White.
There has been success for local clubs in the Whitchurch League Competition Finals. Andover's Andrew Carnegie is the 2024 Champion of Champions. Old Basing's Roger Banister won the Open Singles and was a part of the Basing Triple that lifted the Triples crown. The Open Pairs went to Basingstoke Town's Caz and Steve Harris, the Aussie Pairs to Kingsclere's Mike Chaplin and Clive Howard, and the Novice Singles to Marnell's Dean Pearce.
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