‘A’ Team Setback at Grantham
Hopes that Stamford ‘A’ might reach the North v South play-off for the Lincs Men’s League for the first time since it was re-structured during Covid, suffered a setback when they were beaten 77-69 at Grantham, their nearest rivals.
They held a 12 point lead going into the match but were able to grab only three of the 14 points at stake in a tense battle where the result was in doubt until the last few minutes.
It leaves Stamford with 90 points, leading the table by four - each club with one match to play. Grantham must visit mid-table Sleaford on March 25, while Stamford host old rivals Spalding a day later, knowing just what they need to do to make the final at Louth on April 15.
The match at Grantham started in dramatic style with Roger Martin’s rink in which John Holroyd was a late replacement for Mick Linnell, picking up a six-count on the first end. But they were unable to maintain the momentum against Martin Pulling’s four and eventually lost 12-23.
Elsewhere Adam Warrington’s rink of Mick Humphreys, Mike Ramsden and Neil Wright dominated Joe Lewis to win by eight shots - the margin by which Martyn Dolby’s quartet lost.
Stamford might have picked up a vital extra point but the rink of league debutant Jeff Pitt, conceded two shots on the last end of a drawn match.
Lincs Men’s League (South): Grantham 77 (11pts) Stamford ‘A 69 (3). Stamford names only: R Allam, D Ford, J Holroyd, R Martin lost 15-23; W Aspinall, D Miller, C Ballard, M Dolby lost 12-20; T Barwell, J Bourne, K Vinter, J Pitt drew 20-20; M Humphreys, M Ramsden, N Wright, A Warrington won 22-14.
MUCH BETTER FROM ‘B’ TEAM
In contrast to their 'A' Team colleagues Stamford Men's ‘B’ team, following a series of defeats, rediscovered their form to turn the tables at home against Sleaford in the Lincs Men’s League (South).
They won 76-68, claiming 12 of the 14 points at stake, winning three of the four rinks, the best of which featured Ron Blake, Charlie Jones, Maurice Dye and Derek King who beat Tony Stanley’s four 31-15.
Paul Buckley’s quartet snatched victory on the last end and Martin Hewitt won by six. Dave Edwards led by one at 13 ends but against Trevor Bannister, failed to score again.
Lincs Men’s League (South): Stamford ‘B’ 76 (12) Sleaford 68 (2). Stamford names only: J Suffling, D Henshaw, N Crees, M Hewitt won 19-13; G Patrickson, M Wallace, D Bruce, D Edwards lost 10-25; P Linnell, H Gordon, M Owens, P Buckley won 16-15; R Blake, C Jones, M Dye, D King won 31-15.
SENIORS GO OUT
Tony Barwell, Alan Barnes, Tony Scarr and Trevor Collins lost in the Area 5 final of the EIBA Over 60s Fours at Melton. They were beaten 19-14 by Irvine Powdrill’s experienced Charnwood rink after leading 14-12 with seven ends to play.
MARK ROYAL ROAD SHOW.
World-ranked bowler Mark Royal, who beat former World No.1 Alex Marshall at the Potters championship in January only to lose in a quarter-final tie break to eventual winner Jamie Walker, brings his Jack & Bowls equipment roadshow to Stamford IBC on March 15 (11.30 am to 6.30pm).
As well as passing on valuable tips and equipment advice, Mark will have clothing, shoes and other items on sale and customers will also have the opportunity to ‘try-before-you-buy’ sets of bowls on the club’s six rink carpet.
DEADLINE FOR SUMMER LEAGUE
A deadline of March 23 has been set for teams to enter any of five leagues to be played during the summer months at Stamford Indoor Bowls Club.
The leagues will be triples on Monday, Thursday and Friday evenings, pairs on Tuesday (noon) and triples on Wednesday morning. Matches will start on April 24.
The intention is also to introduce a novices league and open the club for roll-ups (booked online) every morning except Wednesday.
The closing date for all entries is Friday March 31. If you are not already in a team and wish to participate as a team or individual, respond to Roger Clarke - League Secretary. Email: clarkeroger911@gmail.com or call 07902 928782.
Northant Bowls Federation Finals Schedule
Northants Bowling Federation’s indoor county finals for men and women take place at the Peterborough & District club on Sunday (March 19).
While host club player Michelle Smith competes in four finals, singles, pairs, women’s and mixed triples, Chris Ford seeks a hat-trick in pairs, mixed pairs and mixed triples. She defends the pairs with county president Shirley Suffling.
Stephen Harris also qualified in three but has to field substitutes in mixed triples and pairs as he will be in Dunfermline representing the England senior indoor team in the home internationals.
He defends his county singles against Richard Allam at Stamford IBC on Tuesday, March 21 (6.30pm) as the county finals clash with an international commitment.
SUNDAY’S TIMETABLE
10.00am: Women’s singles: Elizabeth Wallace v Michelle Smith; Men’s veterans singles: Martyn Dolby v Kevin Vinter; Mixed pairs: Chris Ford & Adam Warrington v Liz Hext & Cliff Watson.
12 noon: Women’s pairs: Shirley Suffling & Chris Ford v Viv Afford & Michelle Smith; Men’s pairs: Paul Dalliday & Tristan Morton v Stuart Agger (sub for Stephen Harris) & Wayne Morris.
2.00pm: Men’s triples: Paul Dalliday, Simon Law, Tristan Morton v Richard Allam, John Holroyd, Kevin Vinter; women’s senior singles: Elizabeth Wallace v Margaret King; Mixed triples: Chris Ford, Adam Warrington, Michael Humphreys (sub for Stephen Harris) v Ian & Michelle Smith, Tom Newman.
4.00pm: Women’s triples: Margaret King, Moira Holroyd, Pat Jones v Viv Afford, Michelle Smith, Liz Hext.