Stamford Indoor Bowls Club capped a magnificent season when three of its members claimed the English Bowling Federation two-bowl rinks title at Newark.

Representing Northants, Martyn Dolby, Paul Bailey and Adam Warrington, landed the magnificent silver Jubilee Trophy in a thrilling battle with the hot favourites - Huntingdonshire's Robert Elmore, Alex Walton and Wayne Bailey members of the Denny Cup-winning Ely City Club.

Federation rules allow for players to inter-change positions and when Warrington found it tough to produce telling bowls, Stamford's exhuberant Bailey took over as skip of the rink and eventually made that vital difference.

Into the last of the 21 ends, the scores were tied at 16-16. One shot down and with the last bowl to play, Bailey faced a decision - whether to play with weight or with finesse to ease the Hunts bowl out of the head.

Battling his demons and with the advice of his colleagues ringing in his ears, he played the perfect bowl, quietly nudging the opposition bowl away to leave Northants with the shot they needed for the title.

Pandemonium ensued!

With the Stamford supporters on their feet and the players hugging each other, it was several minutes before the players composed themselves enough for Northants President Cliff Watson to share in the presentation of the trophy.

Earlier the trio had beaten Cleveland 26-13, North Cambs 23-15 and Suffolk 18-14 in the semi-final.

Pictured are from the left Martyn Dolby, Cliif Watson (Northants EBF President), Paul Bailey & Adam Warrington.

Sadly Dolby and Warrington were unable to reproduce their form in the pairs, losing to Derbyshire while Barrie Plowman lost narrowly to P Tuddenham of Norfolk 21-19 in the veteran single s.

There were also first round defeats for Jan Want, Margaret Andrews and Christine Ford in the ladies triples (11-21 v Derbyshire) and for Ford, Mike Ramsden and Keith Rippin in the mixed triples (13-23 v Lincolnshire).
 

Stamford bowlers, representing Northants, contest the English Bowling Federation finals at Newark IBC in five disciplines next week with Martin Dolby and Adam Warrington facing Derbyshire in the pairs (Thursday 9.30am) having joined with Paul Bailey in the triples (Tuesday 9.30am) against Cleveland.

Also on Tuesday Christine Ford skips Jan Want and Margaret Andrews in the women's triples (3.30pm) against either Suffolk or Derby having played No.2 in the mixed triples with Mike Ramsden and Keith Rippin earlier (12.30pm) against Lincolnshire.

Barrie Plowman carries Northants hopes in the veterans singles against J Tuddenham from Norfolk on Wednesday (9.30am)

Stamford's indoor bowlers rounded off an epic triple-championship season by staging their club finals at their stadium in Exeter Gardens. And the quality of performance didn't disappoint with several matches going to a thrilling climax to decide the winners.

Ketton's Glenys Edwards, who also put in hours of extra work as competition secretary with husband Peter, proved the most successful individual with four titles, with Joyce Foster from Stamford combining with Glenys to claim three.

Martyn Dolby, from Uffington also won three titles, adding the mixed pairs (with Sharon Bailey) and mixed fours (with Foster and Peter and Glenys Edwards) to his 21-6 singles triumph over Adam Warrington.

The duo, who reached the last 32 of the nationals, played their part in a colourful pairs final against the respective red and yellow bowls of Mike Ramsden and Paul Bailey. The scores were level after 21 pulsating ends before Bailey and Ramsden clinched it 22-19 in extra time.

Bailey was also in action with 13-year-old daughter Katie - regional finalist in the English Junior skills championships at Melton - in the mixed pairs but lost out to the final bowl of the last end against his wife Sharon and Dolby. 

As a preview to the finals, the club staged a knock-out pairs tournament played to a sets format which produced some classic matches for an appreciative crowd. Eventually it was Malcolm Smith who defeated Ryhall veteran Dave Ingham 2-0.

Club championship results

Over 65 men's singles: D Want lost to M Ramsden 12-21; Mixed Pairs: S Bailey/M Dolby bt K Bailey,P Bailey 19-18; Ladies triples: J Foster, C Cox, G Edwards bt J Brennan, A Edwards, C Ford 24-12; Novice triples: C Ballard, F Gartside, T MacAnally lost to J Harris, S Harris, T Harris 27-12.

Ladies Singles: A Martin lost to C Barnes 21-18; Men's Pairs: A Warrington, M Dolby lost M Ramsden, P Bailey 22-19; Ladies Rinks: J Foster, C Cox, P Birch, G Edwards bt J Brennan, M Andrews, A Edwards, C Ford 24-22.

 Men's singles: A Warrington lost to  M Dolby 21-6; Ladies Pairs: C Barnes, C Ford lost to P Birch, G Edwards 15-16; Men's rinks: W Morris, S Harris, P Bailey, M Bailey bt M Cullingworth, D Want, J Little, K Rippin 21-13.

Men's triples: R Harniess, B Plowman, A Shaw lost R Allam, M Wallis, D King 13-23; Mixed triples: M Ramsden, C Ford, K Rippin, bt J Harris, T Harris, P Bailey 20-6; Mixed rinks: J Foster, G Edwards, P Edwards, M Dolby bt C Barnes, C Warters, A Barnes, R Warters 24-14. Novice Cup Triples: G Cameron, B Sims, T weaver bt S Downs, R Graham, P Linnell 20-7; Novice Plate Triples:  C Ballard, F Gartside, T MacAnally lost to J Harris, S Harris, T Harris. Singles (sets) M Smith bt D Ingham 2-0; Junior Singles (sets) J Bailey bt J Travis-Jenner 2-0.

Stamford IBC hosts its annual club championships in six sessions over two days over this weekend starting at 10am on Saturday and 2pm on Sunday. Matches will be full length and not in timed 2-hour sessions.

The games promise to generate some stiff competition, so grateful thanks to competition organisers Peter and Glenys Edwards and John Little who has organised the novices triples.

Saturday (April 14)

10 am: Over 65 Men's singles: D Want v M Ramsden; Mixed Pairs: S Bailey & M Dolby v K. Bailey & P. Bailey; Ladies triples: J Foster, C Cox, G Edwards v J Brennan, A Edwards, C Ford; Novice triples: C Ballard, F Gartside, T McNally v J Harris, S Harris, T Harris.

6pm: Ladies Singles: A Martin, v C Barnes; Men's Pairs: A Warrington, M Dolby v M Ramsden, P Bailey; Ladies Rinks: J Foster, C Cox, P Birch, G Edwards v J Brennan, M Andrews, A Edwards, C Ford.

Sunday (April 15)

2pm: Men's singles: A Warrington v M Dolby; Ladies Pairs: C Barnes, C Ford v P Birch, G Edwards; Men's rinks: W Morris, S Harris, P Bailey, M Bailey v M Cullingworth, D Want, J Little, K Rippin.

6pm: Men's triples: R Harniess, B Plowman, A Shaw v R Allam, M Wallis, D King; Mixed triples: M Ramsden, C Ford, K Rippin, v J Harris, T Harris, P Bailey; Mixed rinks: J Foster, G Edwards, P Edwards, M Dolby v C Barnes, C Warters, A Barnes, R Warters.

Follow the results here

Stamford bowlers Martyn Dolby and Adam Warrington failed to make it past the first stage of the English National pairs finals at Nottingham but revealed they benefitted greatly from the experience.

It was the first time that a men's combination had reached the nationals finals of this discipline in the Stamford club's 20-year history and when you find yourself on the same green as world, commonwealth and national champions, it can be intimidating.

But the duo battled hard and only lost out 19-11 to some superior shot-making by Jack Fairhall and Scott Edwards from Adur club in Sussex in the closing stages.

The Adur pair took an early lead but with accuracy and precision on a faster carpet than they are used to, the Stamford players limited the shots and even managed to get a narrow lead.

At the half way stage the game was even at 8-8 and at 18 ends there was still only four shots in it but Adur skip Edwards produced some outstanding drawing and running bowls and proved the dominating factor.



"It was disappointing to lose the first game but we were happy with our overall performance," said Dolby. "From the outset it was a very close tussle."

"It was a great experience, especially to be on the green with current world champion Andy Thomson on the next rink, Billy Jackson next to him and Greg Harlow, Mervyn King, Nicky Brett , Jamie Chestney and Sam Tolchard a little further along."

Added Warrington: "It was a tremendous experience for us. We were proud to see Stamford on the scoreboard in that sort of company. We have learned a lot from it."

The event was eventually won by Peterborough plumber Nicky Brett and former world champion Harlow, representing City of Ely, securing a 19-18 defeat of John and Mark Dawes from Blackpool.

Martyn Dolby and Adam Warrington are due to be in action this week (Friday, 9am) in Nottingham in the first round of the English National Indoor Pairs - against Jack Fairhall and Scott Edwards from the Adur Indoor Club in Southwick, West Sussex.

It's understood to be the first time Stamford IBC players have reached this stage (the last 32) of the national finals in this particular discipline.

Despite a star-studded line-up of internationals in the draw including four world champions - Andy Thomson, Greg Harlow, Mervyn King and Billy Jackson - the Stamford duo are looking forward to soaking up the atmosphere and hoping to bowl to their potential.

We wish them every good fortune.

Revenge proved sweet for Stamford's 'A' team bowlers on Sunday at Horncastle when they clinched the Lincolnshire Division Two championship and a place in the top flight next season for the first time in the club's 20 year history.
At the end of last season the team had a slender chance of promotion but in a controversial finish to the match at Horncastle, saw it snatched from their grasp by eight shots in a frustrating defeat.

This time, despite some last minute absentees, two talented juniors - Steven Harris and Jon Bailey - were among those drafted in to help make amends for last year's opportunity missed.

The scores were close at the halfway stage but egged on by the vocal inspiration of exuberant captain Paul Bailey, Stamford claimed vital shots at crucial times, opened up a lead and in the end ran out comfortable 98-84 winners, earning 16 of the 18 points available thanks to four winning rinks.

Bailey paid tribute to the squad of players who had supported the team in which the rink of Mike Ramsden, Malcolm Cullingworth, Martin Bailey and Adam Warrington emerged unbeaten : "I'm very proud of how the team has performed and encouraged each other. It just shows what a great spirit there has been."

Added press officer Bob Warters: "It will be tough in the top Division next season but this is why we compete, to be tested at as high a level as possible - against internationals and county champions.

"Fortunately, we have players dedicated to being the best they can be, others waiting on the sidelines for their chance and juniors coming through. We're looking forward to the challenge."

Winning the Men's Second Division is the third title, the resurgent club has gained this season - added to the Lincs Mixed League Divison Two and the County Junior League.  

Results (Stamford names only):

Lincs League Division Two: Horncastle 84 (2pts), Stamford 98 (16). K Rippin, J Mumford, D King, M Dolby lost 6-32; M Ramsden, M Cullingworth, M Bailey, A Warrington won 17-13; R Allam, S Travis, J Holroyd, P Bailey won 29-12; B Plowman, J Bailey, R Harvey, P Edwards won 17-15; R Harniess, S Harris, R Warters, R Montgomery won 29-12

Stamford bowlers' hopes of adding to an already successful season by reaching the finals of the Lincolnshire County competitions were dashed at Grantham on Saturday, March 31.

Our bowlers contested three semi-finals but failed to nail a single final and returned disappointed.

Nearest to clinching a spot was Mike Ramsden who pulled back two three-counts when trailing Ron Flowers from Long Sutton with three ends to play in the Over 65s singles but couldn't quite grab the shot that would have extended the 21-end match to extra-time.

Earlier Derek King had been beaten 27-9 by Lincoln veteran Derek Johnson.

In the triples, Martyn Dolby, Paul Bailey and Adam Warrington came up against their old Spalding adversaries, Martin Spencer, Paul Simpson and Graham Smith and in the early stages held them eight-apiece. But the international trio showed their class with a succession of winning ends and eventually ran out worthy 21-11 winners.

Earlier Warrington, partnered by Keith Rippin, never quite came to terms with the pace of the Grantham carpet and were comprehensively beaten 30-7 by Lincoln's Dean Tute and Tony Gilroy.

Stamford's over 60s team in the Lincs Second Division, took a step nearer promotion when they beat league leaders Dunholme 14-4.

With two teams claiming promotion to Division One, Stamford can claim a maximum of 155 points if they take all 18 points from next week's home game with lowly Grantham while two of their rivals - Spalding and Dunholme - face tricky closing fixtures.

Result (Stamford names only):

Lincs Over 60s League, Division Two: Stamford 111 (14 points) Dunholme 79 (4):
K Germany, T. Weaver, D. Jackson, D. Henshaw lost 18 - 20; T. Mackie, A. March, A. Romaine, J. Geary lost 8 - 23; W. Kettle, G. Pool, G. Corby, T. Freeman won 23 - 14; D. Howarth, D. Ingham, T. Harris,  K. Rippin won 31 - 12; N. Kettle, R. Graham, P. Banks, A. Horton won 31 - 10.

Stamford A take a narrow six point lead into the final match of an enthralling season on Sunday, looking to clinch the club's first Lincs Division Two title at Horncastle.

Already promoted to division One, under the recently revised system, they are aiming to emulate the Mixed team which with a game to spare, clinched the Division Two County Championship and promotion for next season.

With nearest rivals Long Sutton at Skegness and playing simultaneously, it could hinge on Stamford's superior shots difference.

Expect telephone lines to be hot by 5pm on April Fools Day!