Stamford A title hopes finally ended
Post date: Mar 26, 2018 9:49:30 PM
SLENDER hopes that the Clarity Partnership-sponsored Stamford Men's A team could retain the Lincolnshire League Division One title they won for the first time in their 27-year history last year, were finally dashed, despite victory over Boston A.With championship leaders Lincoln due to visit Stamford on April 8, the home side needed maximum points against Boston to give them an outside chance of retaining the title.But against Boston captain Tony Powell, Roger Martin's rink narrowly conceded two points in a two-shot defeat (19-21) to end Stamford's title hopes.Elsewhere, however, the team was in great form with several players moving up from the B team to lend a hand to the A team's belated challenge.Rink honours went to the rink of Richard Allan, Trevor Harris, Adam Warrington and Paul Bailey who accounted for Les Feary's quartet 32-10.
There were also wins for rinks skipped by Neil Wright (against Ron Flowers), Peter Edwards(Ian Clark) and stand-in captain Martyn Dolby (Geoff Parker).
Said Dolby: "As always it was a very enjoyable occasion against one of the friendliest clubs in our county. In the circumstances it was an excellent performance by the Stamford team which virtually confirms us as ‘runners up’ this season following last years championship success. Unfortunately Lincoln are just out of range and even a full house against them in our final match cannot bridge the gap."
Result (Stamford names only):
Lincs Men's League Division One. Stamford A 127 (16 pts) Boston A 75 (2). R Allam, T Harris, A Warrington, P Bailey won 32-10; M Ramsden, D Miller, A Barnes, R Martin lost 19-21; A Romaine, C Watson, M Humphreys, Neil Wright won 23-15; Mal Smith, K Rippin, D Want, P Edwards won 29-12; W Aspinall, C Ballard, R Montgomery, M Dolby won 24-17.
DOUBLE SUCCESS FOR SPALDING PLAYERS IN NATIONALS FINALS
FOR STAMFORD'S local rivals Spalding, the move by some of their international players to concentrate on national competition instead of the Lincs county league they have won successively for years, certainly paid off - with two national titles at Melton in a three day span this week.
First, club captain and secretary Graham Smith (46) won the new EIBA two bowl singles title before joining clubmates Matt Whyers, Martin Spencer and Matt Orrey to win the national fours.
Smith (pictured right), who helped England retain the British men's team title in Paisley recently, beat Tom Bishop, 21-16 in a high quality final.
He reached the final with a 21-14 victory over WIBC world Under 25 indoor champion Ed Elmore, from City of Ely.
In the fours final against Kingsthorpe, all eight players were in top form with Andy Manton, Connor Cinato, Neil McKee and Jamie Walker making the better start to lead 8-5 at halfway in the 18-end match, before Spalding opted for shorter jacks.
The move paid off with Spalding scoring nine shots to the Northampton players' two, finishing with five singles in the last six ends to win 14-10.
Former Stamford College student Jordan Philpott was due to contest the national singles this week.
Pictured is the winning Spalding rink (from the left) Graham Smith, Matt Whyers, Matt Orrey and Martin Spencer. (Pictures by David Rhys Jones, courtesy of the EIBA)
