Banbury Central’s Carole Galletly, Stella Amos and Caroline Campion shone to claim runners-up spot in the National Triples Championship at Royal Leamington Spa.
Their bid for glory only came unstuck with an 18-9 defeat by Kathleen Bowe, Eleanor Gass and Nicole Bowe (Wigton, Cumbria) in the final.
In the semi-final, Campion’s team had edged past Veronica Battersby, Shirley Coad and Joan Rees (St Austell) 13-12.
Central had defeated Jacqui Branfield, Sheila Short and Stefanie Branfield (Clevedon) 22-14 in the last eight after beating Ady Poole, Sandra Pritch-ard and Ciss Jones (Leominster) 18-11 in the third round.
They had reached the last 16 with a 20-18 win over Jenny Rowe, Caroline Cullum and Rena Markham (Perrys, Lincolnshire) after opening up with an 18-12 triumph against Sarah Newson, Val Newson and Catherine Popple (Parkway, Huntingdonshire).
Campion’s challenge in the Singles Championship came to an end with a 21-18 defeat by Pa Walker (Birstall, Leicestershire) in the third round.
Didcot’s Jane Porter, representing Berkshire, also went out in the last 16 with a 21-10 defeat by Amy Truran (Homefield Park, Sussex).
Campion had seen off Jane Holland (Silver End, Essex) 21-16 in round two where Porter beat Helen Slimm (Avenue Leamington, Warwicks) 21-9, but Oxford City & County’s Donna Knight went out 21-15 to Annalisa Bellamy (Carters Park, Lincolnshire).
Campion had opened up with a 21-15 win over Ann How (Chesterton, Cambridgeshire), while Knight hammered Sophie McIllmurray (West Wickham, Kent) 21-8 and Porter beat Janet Ashgby (West End, Northants) 21-9.
Campion suffered a first-round exit in the National Champion Of Champions, going out 21-11 to Baldock Town’s Shirley Page.
Oxford City & County’s Carol Penson reached the National Over 55 Singles Championship quarter-finals before bowing out 21-16 to Pauline Proud (Ventnor, Isle of Wight).
She had crushed Janet Cropper (Bolton, Lancashire) 21-3 in the second round after defeating over Melanie Bowling (West Bridgford, Notts) 21-14.
OTHER RESULT
Junior Pairs Championship 1st round: A Stone & K Glenn (Oxford City & County) 8, S Branfield & L Holden (Clevedon) 29.
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