Defeat at Louth for defending champions

Post date: Feb 4, 2018 1:41:45 PM

Stamford Men's A team, the current Lincolnshire First Division champions, suffered their second successive defeat when they travelled to Louth and despite a battling performance and fielding late replacements, went down by just 16 shots, claiming just three of the 18 points available.

All those who stepped into the breach performed heroics and didn't disappoint but by the time the visitors had adjusted to the pace of carpet Louth had built up a more than useful lead and held it to the end.

Ironically, both the Stamford rinks who collected points started badly. The quartet of Wayne Aspinall, Mick Linnell, John Holroyd and Jonathan Earl were 1-7 and 7-15 behind before picking up 11 shots in the last six ends to win 18-16.

For A team newcomers Don Bruce and Andy Speechley, joining Mal Smith and Bob Warters the deficit was similar (0-8 & 10-15) before taking an 18-17 lead only to concede a shot on the last end.

The team's next fixture is a re-arranged home tie with Scunthorpe on February 17 (1.10pm).

Result (Stamford names only):

Lincs League Division One: Louth A 101 (15 pts) Stamford A 85 (3). M Ramsden, A Barnes, R Montgomery, Roger Martin lost 13-20; D Bruce, A Speechley, Mal Smith, B Warters drew 18-18; K Rawlins, D Miller, A Warrington, P Bailey lost 16-17; R Allam, C Watson, D Want, P Edwards lost 20-30; W Aspinall, Mick Linnell, J Holroyd, J Earl won 18-16.

A flurry of late shots was enough to earn Stamford Men's B team vital points to take them, at least temporarily, to the top of the Lincs League Division Two table with 84 points, three clear of Grantham who have three games in hand.

Each team won on two rinks with one drawn but the 111-89 scoreline was enough to give Stamford 13 of the 18 points at stake.

Pete Linnell's rink led the scoring charge with a seven count on the penultimate end while Dave Heffernan weighed in with 12 shots (in the last seven) and Derek King 20 (in 13).

There was also a welcome, winning return for Wittering veteran Mick Smith and a successful call up for his outdoor clubmate Ally McNaughton.

Result (Stamford names only):

Lincs Men's League Division Two: Stamford B 111 (13 pts) Skegness 89 (5). T Barwell, T Mackie, M Hebden, T Christie lost 18-20; D Howarth, D Veasey, P Banks, Richard Martin, lost 14-17; R Graham, G Knights, M Dye, P Linnell drew 22-22; Mick Smith, Dave Edwards, M Hewitt, D King won 25-15; C Ballard, A Lonslow, A McNaughton, D Heffernan won 32-15.

Stamford's hopes of progressing in the EIBA Over 50 triples were dashed when June Brennan, Shirley Suffling and Glenys Edwards lost 21-12 at March to Pauline Ayres' trio.

In an all-Stamford Over 60s rinks, Mal Smith, Doug Want, Peter Edwards and Martyn Dolby edged out Derek King, Mike Ramsden, Cliff Watson and Keith Rippin 18-13.