Dramatic win by women to reach last eight in Plate

Stamford's players who travelled to Erewash. From the left: June Brennan, Margaret Andrews, Carol Warters, Glenys Edwards, Sue Moir, Shirley Suffling, Moira Holroyd and Christine Ford.

Stamford's home team in the Yetton Plate, from the left: Joyce Foster (replaced by Christine Barnes against Erewash), Flick Rogers, Peggy Birch, Rose March, Betty Sims, Margaret Bloxham, Elizabeth Wallace, Joan Robinson.

FOR THE first time in the club's 27-year history, Stamford's women bowlers have reached the quarter-finals of a national indoor competition.

They beat Long Eaton side, Erewash IBC, the title winners two years ago, 68-60 to earn a place in the last eight of the Yetton Plate, for teams beaten in the first round of the Yetton Trophy back in November.

With two rinks of four playing at Stamford and two rinks at the South Nottingham venue, it came down to a dramatic finish to clinch the overall score.

With news filtering through that rinks skipped at home by Peggy Birch (with Christine Barnes stepping in at lead for Joyce Foster) and Margaret Bloxham had both won comfortably - 23-11 and 21-14 respectively - the away rinks of Glenys Edwards and Christine Ford, playing their last ends, needed to hold their nerve with the gap a mere five shots overall.

Indeed left-handed Edwards faced at least a four count against her but managed to draw in for second bowl to keep the margin down.

On the adjoining rink a relieved Ford quartet -knowing they could afford to drop five to reach the next round - held two vital shots forcing the Erewash skip into firing unsuccessfully in a bid to kill the end and save the match.

Stamford now face an intriguing clash against West Denton (Newcastle) who beat Hornsea (East Yorkshire) 69-62. The rules of competition state that when teams are situated more than 100 miles apart (over 190 in this case) the match on January 21 will be played at a neutral, roughly equidistant venue - unless both sides agree that they don't wish to give up home advantage.

Officially opened in 2004 by the late Newcastle United and England football manager Sir Bobby Robson, the eight-rink facility is close to the junction of the A1 and A69.

Watch this space!

Result (Stamford names only):

Yetton Plate: Erewash 60 Stamford 68. Home - Stamford home - Christine Barnes, Betty Sims, Rose March, Peggy Birch won 21-14; Joan Robinson, Elizabeth Wallace, Flick Rogers, Margaret Bloxham won 23-11. Away - June Brennan, Carol Warters, Shirley Suffling, Christine Ford lost 14-17; Margaret Andrews, Moira Holroyd, Sue Moir, Glenys Edwards lost 10-18.

In another match with a dramatic twist, Stephen Harris and Martyn Dolby reached the next stage of the national pairs beating Rhys Hill and Martin Simpson at Spalding with the last bowl of an epic encounter on the extra end.

Distracted by noise from a party in the club's dining area and with the heating system out of action, they trailed 13-22 with four ends to play but reeled off counts of 2,1, 1,5 to force an extra end on which Simpson ditched the jack leaving Hill holding shot within a yard.

Dolby drew closer but his bowl was quickly removed by Simpson leaving the Spalding pair still holding shot. However, Dolby drew within inches of the ditch to claim the game and a clash with England internationals Martin Spencer and Matt Orrey.

Said Dolby: " It doesn't get any easier!"

With a 12-shot victory at bottom of the table Boston, Stamford eased into second place in the Lincs Mixed League division one title chase behind Spalding.

By claiming 14 points from three winning rinks they now trail the leaders by 15 points but still have them to play at home.

To be fair Boston were impeded by calls on some of their players for a Top Club match against Lincoln but Margaret Bloxham's team were good value for the 104-92 win as they chase the title for the first time in the club's history.

The best winning margin was Elizabeth and Martin Wallace, Christine Ford and Mick Humphreys who included two seven-counts in their 28-18 victory.

Result (Stamford names only):

Lincs Mixed League Division One: Boston 92 (4pts) Stamford 104 (14). C Barnes, S Suffling, D Hudson, M Dolby won 24-15; E Wallace, M Wallace, C Ford, M Humphreys won 28-18; J Robinson, M Bloxham, A Barnes, C Watson won 26-20; J Brennan, C Warters, J Little, B Warters lost 14-19; K Bailey, D Mackie, T Mackie , P Bailey lost 14-20.

Alan Romaine, making a welcome return to national competition, Peter Cox and Tony Barwell caused an upset by taking out Nick Orrey's Grantham rink in the EIBA Over 50 Triples.

The result was particularly impressive in that they trailed 5-13 after 10 of the 16 scheduled ends but picked up seven shots in three ends, then claimed three and four counts in respective ends to run out 19-15 winners.

In the Over 60 singles Keith Rippin accounted for clubmate Tony Barwell 22-20 and now plays John Needham (Spalding) who had earlier beaten Martyn Dolby. The winner of that will play either Mike Ramsden, who scored an earlier 21-15 win over Derek King, or Graham Wright (Spalding) for a place in the Area 5 final.

By completing the double over Boston B, Stamford's second string in the third division of the Lincs Men's League cemented their place at the top.

With three winning rinks, the best of whom were captain Roger Graham, Darren Middleton, Dennis Henshaw and Peter Linnell (28-16), Stamford wn 108-94 to claim 14 of the 18 points available.

Stamford head the table with 48 points from three matches - 26 clear of their nearest rivals with just three matches to play.

Result (Stamford names only):

Lincs Men's League Division Three: Boston B 94 (4) Stamford B 108 (14). R Graham, D Middleton, D Henshaw, P Linnell won 28-16; D Edwards, W Kettle, D Bruce, M Hewitt won 24-14; D Howarth, D Veasey, T Mackie, P Banks lost 16-21; C Jones, A Lonslow, M Hebden, T Christie lost 13-25; C Ballard, A Speechley, D Heffernan, M Owens won 27-18.