Nail Biter as Women Prevail
In a match played at two different venues simultaneously with the aggregate scores to count, it is often difficult to build excitement or momentum. But this Senior Ladies Mason Trophy tussle in which Stamford beat Spalding by a single shot, had it all, with more twists and turns than a Miss Marple mystery.
Stamford players right of photo, from L to R Warters, March, King & Henshaw.
Stamford players front, from L to R Wallace, Brennan, Ford & Suffling.
After ten ends of this 18-end double rink match with the prize a place in the last 32 clubs in England, Spalding held a narrow three-shot lead overall. An exchange of telephone messages between the clubs determined that the Stamford home rink skipped by Rose March led 9-6 against Julie Hicks quartet, while Chris Ford’s Stamford away rink trailed by six shots against Maisie Belding.
As the Stamford home rink extended their advantage, the drama unfolded when news came through that the Ford rink had claimed ten shots in two ends including six on the 15th end to lead 20-19, giving the team a four-shot aggregate cushion.
Belding hit back with three shots on the next end but unknowingly, it was cancelled out by the March rink picking up three on their last end to win 17-13. Hicks, chasing a conversion, trailed the jack to a waiting pair of Stamford back bowls to which they added another.
Belding had a chance to tie the overall scores at 38-38 and force an extra end but a measure decided that their two shots left them one short.
Stamford will play either Charnwood B (Loughborough) or Barwell.
Result: Mason Trophy: Stamford 38 Spalding 37.Stamford names first: Home- Margaret King, Stella Henshaw, Carol Warters, Rose March beat Freda Lyon, Michelle Billingsley, Betty Deaton, Julie Hicks 17-13; away - June Brennan, Elizabeth Wallace, Shirley Suffling, Christine Ford lost to Jean Paterson, Jan Sinclair, Barbara Hurst, Maisie Belding 21-24.
SUMMER LEAGUES
The Stamford Indoor Bowls Club summer leagues are due to start at the end of the winter season.
League secretary John Holroyd would like to know as soon as possible from captains which existing teams are continuing and which are newly joining the four open competitions which will run from April/May to at least late August, depending on numbers.
Places are available for teams playing three-bowl triples on Monday and Friday evening and Wednesday morning and four-bowl pairs at noon on Tuesdays. Pre-booked morning roll-ups will continue on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
FEDERATION RESULTS
Stamford-based bowlers are progressing through the early stages of the Northants Federation indoor championships with Stephen Harris & Wayne Morris and Mick Humphreys and Roger Martin convincingly securing places in the quarter-finals of the men’s pairs.
Skip Harris won 26-8 against Gary Dickenson and his partner while Martin beat Olly Jeapes & Andy Emery 24-8.
In the mixed pairs Derek King, making a welcome return to competitive bowls and wife Margaret beat Pat Jones and Mike Ramsden 23-9.
Veteran George Cameron caused an upset beating Brian Bassam at Peterborough 21-8 in the men’s singles - the reward a match against either Harris or Martyn Dolby. In the Senior singles, Tony Barwell beat Bob Warters 21-10.
Among the first women’s results was the 21-12 defeat of Elizabeth Wallace and Carol Warters by Ketton clubmates Shirley Suffling and Chris Ford. Suffling lost 21-18 to Pat Jones in the Senior singles.
Paul Green, Tony Diovisalvi and Ron Blake will play their Lincs IBA triples first round at home to Paul Roberts’ Sleaford trio at Stamford on January 31 at 6.30pm ( not away as previously stated).
FOOTNOTE: Bowlers are reminded that the Stamford IBA club competitions are posted on the club website and notice boards. Furthermore contestants are reminded that both players/team captains are responsible for agreeing time and date for games before the closing date of each round to avoid elimination of both parties. A copy of the Club Competition Rules are displayed on the notice board at the club.
OPEN DAY PROMOTION
Following the postponement of the Stamford indoor bowls Open Day in January, the event has been re-instated on Saturday, February 12 (from 10am-4pm).
The original date had to be withdrawn because of ongoing Covid restrictions but as it will no longer be mandatory to wear face coverings from Thursday 27 January potential new bowlers will hopefully feel more disposed to accept the opportunity to try the game.
The sessions at the club’s arena in Exeter Gardens are free of charge and potential new bowlers - or outdoor bowlers keen to try the indoor version on the six rink carpet - should wear trainers or flat-soled shoes. Equipment and tuition is provided free from experienced players and coaches. Members are encouraged to bring friends and family along.
Stamford IBA, with its 400+ membership is open seven days a week through the winter months. It has a restaurant, social and viewing area, fully licensed bar and its players compete in national and county competitions.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Following their surprise defeat of table-topping Spalding, Sleaford entertain Stamford A on Saturday (2pm) in the Lincs Men’s League (South).
The points they gained puts them back in the hunt for the play-off spot again the northern league and Stamford will not be taking them lightly, while chasing honours themselves.
Stamford ‘B’ host Spalding on Sunday (1pm) with a strengthened team to the one that beat Grantham.
Stamford A: M Humphreys, D Miller, J Earl, M Dolby; B Warters, J Suffling, O Aspinall, C Ballard; Mal Smith, M Ramsden, N Wright, A Warrington; R Allam, D Bruce, M Linnell, R Martin. Reserve D Ford.
Stamford B: P Linnell, M Wallace, D Edwards, D Middleton; T Barwell, R Graham, D Henshaw, D Heffernan; A Romaine, K White, M Owen’s, A McNaughton; H Gordon, N Crees, K Rippin, M Hewitt. Res R Blake, K Rawlins, H Neath, B Orme.
SENIOR PAIR HIT FOR SIX!
There was a dramatic finish to the all-Stamford EIBA Over 60s pairs second round when Tony Scarr and Roger Martin claimed six shots on the final end to win 20-19 against Tony Barwell and Bob Warters.
Scarr and Martin scored six on the first of the 18 ends but they were slowly worn down and conceded a seven count on the 11th end to trail 10-17. However on the final end when losing 14-19 and two-down, Martin trailed the jack for four shots and added two more to clinch a remarkable victory.
*Paul Green, Tony Diovisalvi and Ron Blake will play their Lincs IBA triples first round at home to Paul Roberts’ Sleaford trio at Stamford on January 31 at 6.30pm (not away as previously stated).
BYE-LAWS UPDATED
Taking a lead from the televised World Indoor Bowls from the Potters Resort and following the success of Melton IBC-based Les Gillett, the new champion, Stamford Indoor Bowls Club has updated its dress code for competitive games to include black trousers or black tailored or registered shorts as well as the regular grey or white.
The changes are included in the new bye-laws agreed by the management committee.
Any colour regulation flat-soled shoes are also acceptable and must be worn at all times on the green. ‘Smart casual’ clothing can now be worn for non-competitive roll-ups on spare rinks at any time.