OXFORD City & County Ladies were denied by the narrowest of margins in their bid to regain the National Top Club title at Torquay.

City & County, winners in 2008, went down 3-1 to Portishead RBL (Somerset) in the final, with the shots tied 74-74.

However, they could easily have claimed victory as Katherine Hawes’s triple lost by one shot to a measure on the last end.

And Gail Hunter and Carol Gaskin fell just short in their exciting efforts to get three shots on the last end in the pairs.

Carol Penson had the consolation of winning all three of her singles.

In the semi-finals, City & County defeated Felixstowe & Suffolk 3-1 (84 shots to 63) after defeating Swinton (Yorkshire) 31/2-1/2 (103-55).

  • BANBURY Central’s Pam Shepherd was crowned the Oxfordshire Ladies’ Champion of Champions with victory over Witney Town’s Caroline Bloomfield at South Oxford.
  • BUDDING bowlers are being invited to try out the sport in a taster day at Oxford & District IBC on Sunday, October 10 (10am-4pm).

The club are holding a four-week coaching course starting on Sunday, October 24 (10am-noon). Cost is £20. More details from Jean Richards on 01865 321892 or 01865 434688.