Ahead of Saturday's crucial home fixture with nearest rivals Long Sutton (2pm), Stamford Indoor Bowls Club's 'A' team has established a convincing 20-point lead at the top of the Second Division of the Lincolnshire League.

Long Sutton took 15 points from the clubs' clash earlier in the season but, Stamford's 16-2 win at Grantham at the weekend ensured they hold the upper hand with three matches to play and visits to Skegness and Horncastle still to be made as they push for promotion for the first time in Stamford's 20-year history.

Key to Stamford's win at Grantham was the rink of Ray Harniess, Steve Travis, Malcolm Cullingworth and Richard Montgomery. They trailed 1-11 after six ends but then claimed 10 of the next 11 ends to eventually run out 23-15 winners.

Stamford's mixed team will be aiming to increase their lead at the top of the Second Division on Sunday against Grantham (2pm), following the Northants Federation's vital Derbyshire Trophy match against Norfolk (10am), in which eight Stamford players are taking part.

Northants teams at Stamford: Barry Plowman, Doug Want, Peter Edwards; Wayne Morris, Richard Montgomery, Adam Warrington; Mike Ramsden, Bob Warters, Trevor Collins. Peterborough IBC players will represent Northants in three 2-bowl rinks at Acle IBC (Norfolk).

Results (Stamford names only)

Lincs League Division Two: Grantham 82 (2pts),Stamford 96 (16). R Allam, T Harris, D Want, P Bailey won 16-12; M Ramsden, J Bailey, M Bailey, A Warrington won 25-14; R Harniess, S Travis, M Cullingworth, R Montgomery won 23-15;  W Morris, J Mumford, D King, M Dolby won 20-16; D hudson, M Smith, K Rippin, P Edwards lost 13-25.

FOOTNOTE: Lincs IBA has announced on its website that two teams from each of its Divisions will be promoted and two relegated - apart from the Second Division on the men's league where only one team will be relegated.