'A' Team Humble Local Rivals

Contrasting fortunes emerged for Stamford’s ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams contesting the Lincs Men’s Indoor Bowls League (South) on Saturday. 

While the ‘A’ team humbled local rivals Grantham by 74 shots, the ‘B’ side suffered a similar defeat by 44 shots at league leaders Spalding, conceding all 14 points.

At Stamford, the ‘ A’ team result was never in doubt from the early stages as they built up a 51-24 lead at 10 ends with late replacement Jeff Bourne outstanding at lead for Roger Martin’s rink, inspiring them to 32-11 win.

However, it was not quite enough to take the rink prize which went to the quartet of Wayne and Owen Aspinall, Mike Ramsden and Jon Earl who won by 22 shots, including a six count on the 18th end.

Lincs League (South): Stamford ‘A’ 119 (14 pts) Grantham 45 (0). Stamford names only: W Aspinall, M Ramsden, O Aspinall, J Earl won 32-10; T Barwell, K Rippin, C Ballard, M Linnell won 25-15; J Bourne, A McNaughton, B Warters, R Martin won 32-11; M Humphreys, W Morris, N Wright, A Warrington won 30-9.

Lincs league (South):  Spalding 105 (14 ) Stamford B 61 (0). Stamford names only: J Suffling, R Blake, J Hare, M Hewitt lost 16-21; S Christie, G Patrickson, D Wilkinson, D Henshaw lost 19-27; P Linnell, M Owens, D Bruce, D Edwards lost 13-20; M Smith, C Jones, M Dye, N Crees lost 13-37.

Jeff Bourne

Stamford ‘B’ 61 (0 pts) Spalding 105 (14 pts):

WOMEN EDGED OUT

Conceding shots on the last end cost Stamford’s Senior women bowlers a place in the second round of the national Masons Trophy.

With rinks of four against Grantham playing at home and away simultaneously over 18 ends they trailed 29-30 when the home rink finished.

But drama quickly followed. Denise Mackie’s away quartet fought back within a shot at 15-16 with the last end to play but a four count by their opponents put the overall score out of reach.

Masons Trophy: Stamford 32 Grantham 33. Stamford names only. Home - J Brennan, E Wallace, R Downs, C Ford won 17-13; away - A Northen, P Jones, S Suffling, D Mackie lost 15-20.

MIDLAND COUNTIES

Stamford’s Shirley Suffling featured in one of only two winning rinks, when Lincs WIBA lost 101-79 against Leicestershire away in the Midland Counties competition on Sunday.

She played No.3 to Betty Deaton (Spalding) alongside Horncastle’s Mary Johnson and Lynn Ulyett in a 20-9 rink win.

FOOTNOTE: June Brennan & Chris Ford reached the second round of the county pairs with a convincing win at Sleaford against Linda Smith and Shirley Beardsley (Grantham).

JEAPES PICKED

Ollie Jeapes, who plays his domestic league bowls at Stamford IBC and his national and county competitions for Spalding Lightning, has been selected for the 10-player England Under 18 side to compete in the British Isles series at Sully IBC in Wales from January 12-14.

Despite playing No.3 and skip during the trials at Northampton, Stamford’s other contender Owen Aspinall was unsuccessful but says he learned a lot from the experience.

SELECTION FOR SUFFLING

Congratulations to Stamford’s mixed team captain Shirley Suffling, selected for the Lincolnshire Women’s Atherley Trophy side to play at Nottingham in the EIBA Inter-county championship on December 16.

As part of the six-rink team, she  has been picked at No.3 to Horncastle skip Mary Wells and alongside Jane Taplin (Horncastle) and Sheila Pratt (Sleaford).  

WEEKEND TEAMS

Stamford A will be looking to improve their league table position when they travel to Boston A on Sunday. On Saturday, Stamford B entertain Boston B, looking for their first win of the season, against their fellow strugglers. Both matches start at 2 pm.

Stamford A team to play away to Boston A on Sunday is: W Aspinall, D Miller, O , CBallard; M Linnell, B crouch, K Rippin, B Warters; P Linnell, M Owens, A Mc Naughton, N Wright; T Barwell, M Ramsden, P Buckley, R .Martin.

Stamford B: S Christie,M Smith, D Bruce, D Wilkinson; H Gordon, G Clarke, B Orme, P Smith; J Suffling, R Blake, C Jones, D Henshaw; P Linnell, M Owens, G Patrickson, M Hewitt.

Stamford Seniors visit Boston B on Thursday (December 7, 10 am) in the Lincs Over 60s League (South) with the following team: J Bourne, M Ramsden, M Owens, B Warters; T Barwell, D Henshaw, P Smith, R Martin; S Miner, I Hall, M Hewitt, K Vinter; D King, D Bruce, K Rippin, J Holroyd. 

SEND A MESSAGE ON THE CHRISTMAS TREE

Christmas greetings cards have emerged as a contentious issue in the modern era, with the ever-rising cost of postage proving prohibitive to so many.

Stamford Indoor Bowl Club’s social committee has come up with an idea for its members which may help to solve the problem, while still delivering messages of seasonal greetings. 

Using the traditional Christmas tree, which they have decorated it will provide an opportunity to send greetings to fellow bowlers - and raising money for a local charity.

While making a donation in an honesty box to Sue Ryder, which supports people through the most difficult times of their lives, whether a terminal illness, a bereavement or a neurological condition, members can add a message to the tree.

Not only could this novel idea save on the cost of purchase of a card, it will save on postage and prevent overloading the club letter-rack, annually groaning under the weight of greetings cards, some of which remain uncollected, even months into the following year.

Not everyone will wish to take advantage of the scheme but those who do will be re-directing some of the money they would have spent by contributing instead to a worthy cause.

LAST CHANCE TO ENTER CHRISTMAS TOURNAMENT

Teams planning to enter the Stamford IBC Christmas Fours Tournament on Thursday, December 28 should act soon, with only a handful of places still available.

Already 18 teams have entered the event, sponsored to the value of £250 in prizemoney by ‘Durant Scoreboards & Displays’ - installers of the club’s new electronic scoreboard. 

The organisers can accept a maximum of 24 teams, all of which will play four sessions of seven ends with two points awarded for a win and one for every end won. 

Entry forms (£20 per team) are available from the club’s reception; closing date December 15. Hot food is available on the day if ordered and paid for in advance at Woody’s on-site cafe.