Worcestershire BA v Oxfordshire BA, Friendly atChipping Norton BC, 15 September. 2021
Oxfordshire completed a shorter than normal fixture list with an entertaining game against Worcestershire on a rare sunny day, on the Chipping Norton green.
The match was close all the way, with Oxfordshire having the better of the first half. Four of the rinks ended up very tight. The rink of Richard Nolte, Roger Oliver, Martin Oliver and Paul Robbins dropped 3 on the last 2 ends to loose 19-16. The rink containing Roy Radband, Brian Ealey, Allan Ley and Allan Wase picked up a 5 on the 18th end to win 23-21. Percy Hickman, Nigel Satchell, Richard Barnett and Mike Peterson where behind all the way but only lost 21-17.
Mike Jones, Bill Jarvie, Alex Fleming and Brian Clarke 2 down after 18 ends picked up 3 1’s with Alex putting the jack in the ditch on his final wood to win 19-18. The bookies favourite for highest winning rink Mike Andrew, Les Days, Keith Buckle and Brian Bloomfield lost 28-14. Lesson learned don’t bet on favourites.
Which left the Presidents rink of Chris Lewis, David Wedge and Jim Feeley, after 11 ends they are coasting 17-3 up, but then dropped 4 and 3 Fortunately they won 6 out of the last 8 ends. Last of the green with everyone watching they needed 3 to tie and 4 to win. Holding 2 and with the pressure of the crowd on his back Paul drew another shot with the last wood of the day to win 30-12 and tie the match 119-119.
It was a fitting end for a popular President who has worked hard for the County all season. Overall we played 9 matches, won 7, tied 1 and lost 1.
We had an enjoyable meal afterwards, thanks to Roberta and her team. Home player Percy Hickman was awarded his full badge along with Kidlington’s Jim Feeley. Martin Oliver from Hanborough was awarded his 50 game badge.
Thanks to everyone who has played this season, hopefully we will see you at the OBA dinner and AGM
Buckinghamshire BA v Oxfordshire BA - Friendly at Waddeston BC, 17 August, 2021
Oxfordshire continued on their winning ways when they visited the picturesque Waddesdon bowls club. As normal Oxfordshire started slowly on a tricky green but had a good second half to win 116 -97. Paul Robbins continued his good form along with Mike Jones, Brian Ealey and Mick Morris to win 26-16 after being 10-4 down. The rink of Allan Hunt, Jock McGeough, Martin Oliver and President Paul Demczak picked a 3 up on the last end to tie 15-15. Nigel Satchel, Roger Oliver, Richard Barnett and Brian Bloomfield looked a strong rink and proved to be winning 20-11. John Hurren, Keith Dunsby, Keith Buckle and Mike Peterson picked up 6 on the last 3 ends to win 19-13. Percy Hickman, new player Geoff Smith, Alex Fleming and Chris Lewis where 10-1 down but with Percy on top form where unlucky to loose 21-20. The remaining rink of Roy Radband, Ian Whelpton, Les Days and Brian Clarke kept it tight loosing 21-16.
The match was followed by an enjoyable meal where Geoff Smith from Banbury Chestnuts was awarded his colt badge.
Hertfordshire BA v Oxfordshire BA - Friendly at Harpenden BC, 3 August , 2021
Oxfordshire travelled down the M25 to play Hertfordshire at Harpenden and continued their winning form. Oxfordshire started slowly on a tricky green and were 19 shots down at the halfway stage. The rink of Mike Jones, Roger Oliver, Alex Fleming and Mick Morris struggled throughout against a rink from the home club, at one stage 23–5 down and finishing 31-12 down. Fortunately it was better on the other rinks. The President’s hand picked rink of John Hurren , Ian Whelpton and Chris Lewis won 28-11 as did Roy Radband, Bob Wright on his county debut, Brian Ray and Mike Peterson. Mike’s rink won more ends to deprive the President Paul Demczak of getting the highest winning rink, much to his annoyance.
The rink of Allan Hunt, Keith Dunsby also on his debut, Dereck Lafford and Brian Clarke won 18-16. The two remaining rinks of John Stephens, David Wedge, Allan Ley and Paul Robbins dropped a 3 on the 20th end to loose a tight match 18-16. The ever dependable Brian Bloomfield ably assisted by Bill Jarvie, Jock McGeough and Martin Oliver won 22-16, to round off a successful afternoon. The final score was 124-103 to Oxfordshire, a 40 shot turnaround on the last 10 ends
Alex
Bowls Wiltshire v Oxfordshire BA - Friendly at Wroughton BC, 27 July, 2021
Oxfordshire travelled to Wroughton bowls club to face Wiltshire in a friendly fixture which the home side had reduced to 5 triples due to Covid worries.
Oxfordshire won 4 of the 5 triples on an interesting green. Brian Clarke's triple of Nigel Satchel and Alex Fleming got of to a flier leading 16 -3 at the halfway stage, but fell away in the last few ends to win 22-17. Similarly the triple of Mike Jones, Keith Buckle and Paul Robbins after leading 19-7 finished winning 19-17.
The President Paul Demczak ably assisted by Chris Lewis and Mick Morris came from behind to win 20-13, Paul's first win as President. The triple of Roy Radband, Martin Oliver and Mike Peterson struggled for most of the match loosing 19-10. The strongest looking triple of John Hurren, Richard Barnett and Brian Bloomfield only conceeded 5 singles, scoring 27 shots in reply.
Overall the score was 98-71 to Oxfordshire. We finished of another enjoyable away day with an excellent meal.
Oxfordshire BA v Warwickshire BA - Friendly at Banbury Borough, 6 July 2021
Oxfordshire played their second friendly fixture of the season against Warwickshire at a windy Banbury Borough.
Mike Peterson's rink got of to a flyer, scoring 20 shots in the first 7 ends without reply.
Brian Bloomfield's rink was also up by 15 shots at the halfway stage.
The other rinks where much tighter.
The rain mainly held of and Oxfordshire finished up winning on all 6 rinks, 140 shots to 99.
Brian Bloomfield's rink which contained Allan Hunt, Ian Whelpton and Mick Morris where the highest winners 26-12, Mike Peterson's rink finished up winning by 8 shots.
The meal afterwards was up to the Boroughs usual high standard and will probably not be bettered this season.
Prior to the match Gerald Fountain had done a superb job organising the car parking.
Oxfordshire BA v Surrey BA - Friendly at Egham, Surrey 29 June 2021
After waiting 18 months for his first match as County President, Paul Demczak took his side to Egham to face a strong Surrey side.
After playing most of the match in miserable wet conditions, Paul and his opposite number decided to call it a day after 16 ends. After 15 ends we where behind but 3's from Paul's and Mike Peterson's rinks helped Oxfordshire to a 87-86 win, the only time we led in the match.
Earlier Allan Leys rink which contained Roy Radband, Jack Lafford and Mick Morris had won by 27-6. Brian Bloomfield's rink were Oxfordshire's only other winners.
Bob Parker from Burford Town had an impressive performance in his first County match.
We finished the day with an enjoyable meal. Thanks to everyone who played.
