Denny Disappointment

NARROW PLATE DEFEAT

Denny Plate defending champions Melton IBC were given a scare when they trailed Stamford by a few shots with only handful of ends to play. But in this home and away encounter, where aggregate shots counted for a place in the next round, they hit back with a late rush of scoring.

At Melton, though Martyn Dolby’s rink forced a tie, Adam Warrington’s four were unable to hold back a late surge which and by the time the details filtered through, it left the Stamford home rinks needing a last gasp four to force an extra end.

It proved a task too far and Stamford eventually lost 67-72 overall. But they can take pride in a battling performance against a team that won six successive matches to take the title at Nottingham earlier this year.

At home, Bob Warters’ rink of Richard Allam, Keith Rippin and Mick Linnell, kept a tight rein on John Robinson’s determined quartet and emerged 19-15 winners, while alongside, Chris Ballard’s four built a narrow lead before stumbling in four expensive ends at a crucial stage.

At Melton, Warrington led 16-13 with three to play but were eventully beaten 21-16, while Martyn Dolby’s four always trailed until snatching a 15-15 draw.

Melton will play Horncastle in the next round.

EIBA Denny Plate: Stamford 67 Melton 72.Stamford names only. Home - T Barwell, M Ramsden, N Wright, C Ballard lost 17-21; R Allam, K Rippin, M Linnell, B Warters won 19-15; away - W Aspinall, D Miller, J Earl,M Dolby drew 15-15; W Morris, A McNaughton, O Aspinall, A Warrington lost 16-21.

SENIORS ECLIPSED

Hopes that Stamford might lift the Lincs Senior League southern section suffered a setback when well beaten by their nearest challengers. They never came to terms with a tricky surface but the match proved useful experience for future visits.

John Holroyd’s rink went close when he trailed the jack for a six count, while elsewhere another rink fought back from 12 behind to only lose by two.

Lincs Over 60s League: Lincoln A 95 (14 pts) Stamford 60 (0) Stamford names only- D King, J Pearson, P Smith, J Holroyd lost 20-26; B Crouch, S Miner, N Crees, B Warters lost 20-22; T Barwell, R Blake, M Wallace, K Vinter lost 10-26; I Hall, D Bruce, T Christie, M Linnell lost 10-21.

MASON TROPHY

Convincing Win For Our Ladies

Stamford Senior ladies comfortably beat Grantham 47-21 in the Mason Trophy and face Spalding Lightning in the next round.

It was an even match in the early stages with Grantham preferring shorter jacks to keep the scores level at Stamford.

But once the home side stretched the jack length, they ran away with 20 shots without reply, while Pat Jones’ away rink won by six.

Mason Trophy: Stamford 47 Grantham 21. Stamford names only: Home - J Brennan, C Barnes, S Suffling, C Ford won 30-10; away - M King, E Wallace, R March, P Jones won 17-11.

Christmas Tournament Places Available

There are still space for up to to five extra teams in the Christmas Fours tournament at Stamford IBC on Wednesday, December 28 (9.30 and 10.30 am starts). Entry costs £20 per team with forms available from reception. Closing date is Thursday, December 15. Contact Bob & Carol Warters (01780 721411) for further information.

CLUB SINGLES BATTLES

The first round of the Stamford IBC men’s singles, due to be played by the end of January has thrown up some intrigueing prospects - none more so than defending champion and ten times winner Martyn Dolby facing former winner Adam Warrington.

Other battles include new member and singles circuit specialist Jeff Pitt against Richard Allam, Owen Aspinall v Chris Ballard and Jon Earl v Tony Barwell.

Also drawn, and available on the club’s noticeboards, are the Open sets singles, Open Over 65 singles and men’s and mixed pairs, each attracting near-record entries. All first round matches must be played by January 29 with the first-named player in the draw offering date options at least two weeks before closing date of the round.

SENIORS DITCHED FROM DOUBLE RINK

When the Stamford ‘B’ away team conceded seven shots on the first end of their EIBA Over 60 double rink against Grantham, it quickly set the seal on their progression in the competition.

And despite the Stamford home team eventually winning 12-10, the deficit of more than 20 shots overall at the halfway stage proved too much to overcome and the match was conceded with still two ends to play.

Over 60 Double Rink: Stamford ‘B’ 15 Grantham 44. Stamford names only. Home - P Burt, M.Dye, T Christie, K Vinter won 12-10; away - M Ramsden, N Crees, D King, J Holroyd lost 3-34.

Stamford’s four-rink Over 60s team will by hoping for immediate revenge when they host Grantham in their latest Lincs League (South) on Wednesday (10.30 am) and will also be looking to shake off fresh memories of a heavy defeat at Lincoln ‘A’ last week.

Team: R Blake, P Smith, B Warters, T Collins; D King, D Bruce, T Scarr, R Martin; J Bourne, S Miner, T Christie, K Vinter; P Burt, M Dye, M Linnell, J Holroyd. Res: N Crees, D Henshaw.

MIXED AT HOME

Still seeking their first win of the season, Stamford host Skegness in the Lincs Mixed League (South) on Saturday (2pm).

Team: C Warters, H Neath, S Suffling, B Warters; J Lonslow, J Suffling, P Jones, A March; E Wallace, G King, R March, M Ramsden; H Gordon, V Du’Kett, M Wallace, C Ford.

LADIES SECURE NARROW DERBY VICTORY


A late flourish of scoring earned the Stamford women’s team a rare victory over league leaders and local rivals Spalding in the southern section of the Lincs (Trudy Bates) county competition.


It gives them a boost of confidence ahead the two clubs clashing in the next round of the Senior Mason Trophy on January 20.


They won 66-63 to take ten of the 14 points at stake with all rinks contributing to the shots rush of 15-4 in the closing ends.


Lincs Women’s League: Stamford 66 (10) Spalding 63 (4). Stamford names only - P Birch, V Shackleton, A Northen, R March lost 16-23; R Roberts, J Benns, L Tuck, P Jones won 16-7; J Lonslow, M Christie, V Du’Kett, S Suffling won 20-17; M King,J Dye, E Wallace, C Ford lost 14-16.

OPEN DAY FOR NEW BOWLERS

Stamford IBC members are encouraged to bring along friends and family to taster sessions to try bowls when the club stages its first 2023 Open Day on Saturday January 14 (from 10 am to 4pm).

All equipment is provided free of charge and coaches and experienced players will be on hand to introduce newcomers to the sport.