Oxfordshire entertained Berkshire in the first round of this year’s Balcomb Trophy on Sunday 9th June at Headington BC.
Representing the county were the highest scoring rink from the Middleton Cup victory at Worthing the previous weekend and a Four skipped by Paul Sharman containing three graduates of the Under 25 squad.
After a slow start end 9 proved the turning point as both rinks picked up 5s to gain a 3 shot lead. With Paul’s rink progressing steadily Oxfordshire established an 8 shot lead by the completion of end 18. With the Banbury Borough rink limiting their deficit to five shots and Paul and co hanging on to a 3 shot lead for Oxfordshire playing the last end Paul Sharman drew second shot with his first wood and The Berkshire Skip unable to change thing Oxfordshire won by 2 shots.
Rink 1
Sam Watts Shane Cooper Chris Gilkes Paul Sharman 28, Scott Winskill Kyle Mallandain Patrick Hulbert Andrew Knapper 22
Rink 2
Joe Abercrombie Keith Holloway Mark Sykes A J Docherty 15, Craig Shaw B J Byles Darren Holder Robert Newman 19
Oxfordshire 43, Berkshire 41
Oxfordshire qualify for the regional finals to be played at Old Coulsdon BC, Surrey on Sunday 23rd June. Also qualifying for the day are Kent Buckinghamshire and Kent.
