Seniors Top County League

SENIORS BACK ON TOP


In the latest topsy turvy battle to claim the Lincs Over 60 League (South) title, Stamford seniors regained the top spot from Boston A by overwhelming Boston B 124-55.


By claiming 12 of the 14 points at stake, Stamford now head the table with 93 points from ten matches eight clear of Boston A and 11 clear of Skegness.


Away matches at Grantham (April 5) and Sleaford (April 20) will determine Stamford’s season.

From the left(back row): Tony Scarr, Roger Clarke, Tony Barwell, Peter Burt, Keith Rippin, Jeff Bourne, Neil Crees, Dave Heffernan. (Front) HenryGordon, Bernie Crouch, Kevin Vinter, DustyMiller, Trevor Christie, Don Bruce, Mick Linnell, Bob Warters

Sadly Boston B could only muster 15 players and the trio who faced Tony Barwell, Roger Clarke, Keith Rippin and Kevin Vinter were shown no mercy, conceding 11 shots in the first two ends and eventually losing 8-50.

Boston B players ahead of their match with Stamford.

Elsewhere, the rinks of Tony Scarr and Bob Warters won by 23 and 19 shots respectively.


Result: Lincs Over 60 League (South): Stamford 124 (12 pts) Boston B 55 (2). Stamford names only: T Barwell, R Clarke, K Rippin, K Vinter won 50-8; H Gordon, B Crouch, P Burt, B Warters won 31-8; D Heffernan, N Crees, M Linnell, T Scarr won 30-11; J Bourne, D Bruce, D Miller, T Christie lost 13-28.

NATIONAL 2022/23 EIBA ENTRY FORMS NOW AVAILABLE

Bowlers at the Stamford Indoor Club, wishing to enter national individual competitions for next winter season, must submit entry forms and fees themselves direct to EIBA rather than via the club.

Printed entry forms 'A' are available opposite reception for individuals to submit their entries. They can also be downloaded here.

For singles, pairs, triples and fours the entry fee is £4.50 per player with age-related competitions requiring date of birth of each potential bowler. Competitors in these events must qualify by age at September 30, 2022. Payment is by bank transfer, cheque or by phoning HQ with debit card details (details on the form).

Deadline for 2022-23 entries, including payment, is June 3, 2022.

The Stamford club will be responsible for entries into national team competitions including Denny Cup, Yetton Trophy, Over 60 Double rink and Mason Trophy.

NEWARK TIMETABLE FOR NORTHANTS BOWLERS

Local bowlers will have a busy timetable competing for English Bowling Federation and EWBF titles at the national indoor finals at Newark IBC from Tuesday April 19 Sunday, April 24.

First in action will be Joan Robinson (Yaxley) in the Women’s Singles at 9.30 am on Wednesday morning (April 20) alongside Parkway’s Paul Dalliday, James Harford and Simon Law (Parkway) in the men’s rinks. Both play representatives from Northumberland.

Next on at 12.30 pm are Elizabeth Wallace, Shirley Suffling and Christine Ford (Ketton) contesting the ladies rinks at 12.30pm against three from Durham together with Moira & John Holroyd, Kevin Vinter (Stamford Town) who take on Durham in the mixed rinks.

How the timetable affects the Northants representatives:

MEN:

  • Singles: Stephen Harris v North Cambs (Thursday, April 21 at 9.30am). Next round on the Friday at 2.30pm.

  • Senior singles: Tony Barwell v Northumberland (Thursday, April 21 at 12.30pm). Next round on Saturday at 12.00 noon.

  • Under 25 singles: Ollie Jeapes v Norfolk (Saturday, April 23 at 2.30pm). Next round the same day at 5.00pm.

  • Pairs: Chris Ballard & Brian Martin v North Essex (Thursday, April 21 at 9.30am). Next round on Friday at 2.30pm.

  • Rinks: Paul Dalliday, James Harford, Simon Law v Northumberland (Wednesday, April 20 at 9.30am). Next round the same day at 3.30pm.

LADIES:

  • Singles: Joan Robinson v Northumberland (Wednesday, April 20 at 9.30am). Next round on Friday at 12.00 noon.

  • Senior singles: Elizabeth Wallace v North Essex (Friday, April 22 at 7.30pm). Semi-finals on Saturday at 12.00 noon.

  • Pairs: Shirley Suffling & Chris Ford v Cleveland (Saturday, April 23 at 9.30am). Semi-finals the same day at 2.30pm.

  • Rinks: Elizabeth Wallace, Shirley Suffling, Chris Ford v Durham (Wednesday, April 20 at 12.30pm). Next round the same day at 3.30pm.

MIXED:

  • Pairs: Joan Robinson & Tom Newman v Derbyshire (Thursday, April 21 at 3.30pm. Next round on the Friday at 9.30am.

  • Rinks: Moira & John Holroyd, Kevin Vinter v Durham (Wednesday, April 20 at 12.30pm. Next round the same day at 6.30pm.


STAMFORD ‘A’ SUFFER SETBACK


Hopes that Stamford ‘A’ could substantially stretch their seven-point lead at the top of the Lincs Men’s League (South) suffered a setback when they were beaten at Grantham. They added just four points from the 14 available, with just two winning rinks.


They had a chance to claim extra points for the overall tally but in a thrilling last bowl shoot-out just failed, losing the match 67-63.


With all other rinks completed, Stamford skip Bob Warters had a chance to remove the Grantham shot bowl on his rink to claim three shots and tie the aggregate score but just when it looked like succeeding, the narrowest of deflections took it wide of its target.


Last minute absentees disrupted Stamford’s preparations but both John Pearson and John Little stepped in to help their respective rinks claim important points which could yet secure a play-off against the winners of the county’s northern section.


Pearson joined Wayne & Owen Aspinall and Chris Ballard in a single-shot victory against Grantham captain Joe Lewis while Little helped Richard Allam, Don Bruce and Mick Linnell to the rink honours by 19-13.

Lincs Men’s League (South) Grantham 67 (10 pts) Stamford A (63 (4).Stamford names only: B Crouch, A Lonslow, M Ramsden, B Warters lost 12-18; J Suffling, D Miller, N Wright, A Warrington lost 16-21; W Aspinall, J Pearson, O Aspinall, C Ballard won 16-15; R Allam, J Little, D Bruce, M Linnell won 19-13.


The ‘A’ team have a chance for immediate revenge when they entertain Grantham on Saturday (1.10pm).

Stamford ‘A’ team to take on Grantham in their final home game of the season on Saturday (1.10 pm start) is: B Crouch, A Lonslow, I Reay, B Warters; R Allam, D Bruce, M Humphreys, M Linnell; W Aspinall, J Suffling,G Oliver, C Ballard; M Ramsden, D Miller, N Wright, A Warrington.

Stamford ‘B’ are away to Sleaford (2pm): P Linnell, M Wallace, S Downs, D Middleton; H Gordon, K White, M Owens, A McNaughton; T Barwell, R Graham, D Henshaw, D Heffernan; Mick Smith, K Rawlins, C Jones, M Dye.

Stamford A are due to play their last fixture, a re-arranged game away to Boston B on Wednesday, April 6 (5.30pm). Adam Warrington will captain the side which is currently incomplete.

FOOTNOTE: Stamford indoor bowlers are fund-raising for the Ukrainian Humanitarian appeal (www.dec.org.uk) over the next three weeks. Raffle prizes and donations will be appreciated.