Stamford A title chase hits the buffers

Post date: Mar 2, 2019 7:23:01 PM

After pulling back from an early deficit of up to 24 shots, Stamford's title-chasing A team got within three shots of fellow challengers Lincoln A, only to drop away in the closing stages.

It puts Lincoln in prime position to steal the title from under Stamford's noses if they can grab 23 of the 36 points available from their two remaining matches at Sleaford and Boston.

Prior to this championship-defining match at Lincoln, Paul Bailey's team led the table on points by 137-101 but they desperately needed to win to regain the title they conceded to their opponents last season.

Sadly they got off to poor start and after ten ends, while the rinks skipped by Roger Martin, Martyn Dolby and Jon Earl were holding their own, two others skipped by Jeff Newson and Bailey were 4-16 and 7-19 adrift respectively.

However, with Chris Ballard and ten-year-old Owen Aspinall starting to find their line and weight,supported by Adam Warrington, the Bailey rink fought back to lead 21-20 thanks to 14 shots in six ends.

And with Dolby picking up 10 shots in three ends it put Stamford within striking distance just three shots behind overall.

But momentum switched back to Lincoln in the closing stages and they eventually picked up victories on four of the five rinks to win overall 100-79.

Results (Stamford names only):

Lincs Men's League Division One: Lincoln A 100 (16 pts) Stamford A 79 (2). Owen Aspinall, Chris Ballard, Adam Warrington, Paul Bailey lost 22-26; Richard Allam, Mick Linnell, Bob Warters, Roger Martin lost 11-14; Mick Humphreys, Neil Wright, Trevor Collins, Jon Earl lost 10-18; Mike Ramsden, Jay Travis-Jenner, John Holroyd, Jeff Newson lost 15-27; Dave Hudson, Mal Smith, Peter Edwards, Martyn Dolby won 21-15.

MIXED LOSE BY ONE IN LAST BOWL SHOOT-OUT

Hopes that Stamford's mixed team might pick up enough points to boost their promotion aspirations from the Second Division of the Lincolnshire League, suffered a setback when they lost to fellow challengers Scunthorpe by one shot.

With just two matches to finish, Stamford held a slender lead but Keith Rippin's rink conceded a five count to leave the home side 88-90 adrift.

Bob Warters had a chance to save the match if he could trail the jack to one of his own waiting bowls but only managed enough contact to claim one shot and leave his team agonisingly one shot short of sharing the overall aggregate and taking ten of the 18 points at stake.

The 6-12 points deficit keeps Stamford in the promotion hunt - but only just! They are ten points behind second place Scunthorpe with one match still to play at Louth. Scunthorpe have a game in hand.

The rink honours went to the combination of Mick Smith, Rose March - making a welcome comeback after shoulder surgery - Sue Moir and Ally McNaughton who won 19-12. Captain Christine Ford also steered her rink to a 16-14 win.

Result (Stamford names only):

Lincolnshire Mixed League Division Two: Stamford 89 (6pts) Scunthorpe 90 (12). Nick Smith, R March, S Moir, A McNaughton won 19-12; M King, J Hare, S Suffling, D King lost 17-20; I Reading, T Mackie, D Mackie, K Rippin lost 14-26; J Brennan, C Warters, J Little, B Warters won 23-18; E Wallace, A March, M Wallace, C Ford won 16-14.