Bowlers handshakes stopped to prevent infection

Bowlers at the Stamford Indoor Club are being advised to stop the traditional handshakes before, after and even during matches.The management believe that unnecessary contact could be a contributory factor in the current epidemic of colds and infection affecting the elderly and vulnerable and is a positive reaction to the coronavirus currently sweeping the globe.The club issued the notices, while offering advice that the single most important thing that members can do is to thoroughly wash their hands regularly followed by taking advantage of the recently installed hand sanitisers. Also avoid close contact with people who are unwell and avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.As a sportingly competitive organisation the club is aware that bowlers regularly shake hands as a form of greeting before a match and in commiseration and congratulation at the end of it. 'High fives' and "Fist Pumps" are also a regular feature, when a particularly good bowl has been delivered, much as they are in many team sports. However, bowlers are being asked to refrain from this activity as a precaution to help avoid the spread of disease.

Other indoor clubs in the county are also expected to follow a similar policy in a joint effort to reduce infection.

GRITTY FIGHTBACK BY MIXED TEAM

Any relegation fears that Stamford's mixed team had - with key players away on Potters duty - were eased a little by the 12 shot defeat of second placed Louth A in which they claimed 16 of the 18 points up for grabs.

In this Lincs Division One home fixture, Stamford started sluggishly and were behind after 10 and 15 ends overall before they suddenly woke up to the reality that as Louth tired and didn't fancy the prospect of the long journey home, they were there for the taking.

Derek Cave's rink, with wife Linda, Margaret King and Jeff Bourne in support, rarely look in danger of dropping points and took the rink honours 21-13.

Alongside them, Jeannette Bourne, Charlie Jones, Moira Holroyd and Derek King stretched away with seven successive ends to win 21-14 and after trailing 12-15 with three to go, Ally McNaughton's quartet also finished strongly to claimed the points.

On rink one, Janet & Arthur Lonslow, Sue Moir and Bob Warters struggled to get the better of Allen Dent and trailed 6-14 with six ends remaining but three singles and a carefully crafted four on the 19th put them within striking distance and one shot on the last two ends put them in front for the first time!

The win move Stamford up to fourth place on 65 points just two behind Lincoln but with a game in hand.

Result (Stamford names only):

Lincs Mixed League Division One: Stamford 88. (16 pts) Louth A 76 (2). J Lonslow, A Lonslow, S Moir, B Warters won 15-14; M King, L Cave, Jeff Bourne, D Cave won 21-13; Jeannette Bourne, C Jones, M Holroyd, D King won 21-14; V Shackleton, V Du'Kett, Mick Smith, A McNaughton won 17-15; T Barwell, C Warters, R March, A March lost 14-20.

Stamford mixed visit Horncastle on Saturday (2pm) with the following team: J Lonslow, A Lonslow, S Moir, B Warters; M King, L Cave, Mick Smith, D Cave; E Wallace, A March, D Mackie, P Bailey; J Suffling, C Warters, R March, D King; T Barwell, V Du'Kett, S Suffling, M Wallace. transport leaves the club at 11.30 am. BW