Christmas tournament: It's a family affair...

From the left: Trevor Christie, James Hebden, Pauline Dixon, Mark Hebden

Three generations combined to win the prestigious Stamford IBC Christmas tournament on Monday.

Trevor Christie, his son-in-law Mark Hebden and grandson James, a 15-year old schoolboy from Sleaford and fellow Stamford member Pauline Dixon, won all their four 7-end matches to amass a total of 30 points, two for each win and one for every successful end.

They won the Mick Owens trophy and £60 first prize donated by sponsors Molson Coors.

Nearest rivals on 26 points were the only other unbeaten team - Fred Barnsdale, Barrie Plowman, Richard Allam and skip Derek King - with Jon Bailey, Margaret Bloxham, Dave Hudson and Ray Keating third on 23 points.

Twenty-four teams took part including players from Ely City and Peterborough and helped raise £64 for the Sue Ryder Hospice from a charity competition.

Eighteen year old Stamford bowler, Stephen Harris reached the quarter finals of the Spalding Open singles before losing out to current World indoor No 1 Nicky Brett (Huntingdon).

In the sets format, Harris beat Tracey Nunn (Horncastle) 7-7, 8-2 before overcoming fellow Northants Federation team mate Brian Martin 9-4, 14-3, who had earlier beaten Alan Romaine (Stamford) 8-2, 5-5.

Against Brett, Harris lost the first set 3-9 then battled hard only for the determined Brett to steal it 9-7.

Earlier Stamford team mate Mike Ramsden caused one of the upsets of the event when he knocked out home favourite Jordan Philpott, the current British Isles Under 18 Champion and Under 25 international.

He took the first set 7-6 and trailed 0-3 in the second before hitting back to win 9-3. He finally lost to World No.14 Mark Royal 7-5, 7-3.

Royal in turn was beaten in a tie-break by the eventual winner, home-based Martin Spencer (7-3,4-8, 2-0) who beat Huntingdon's Ed Elmore 9-7,6-2 in the final. Brett lost to Elmore 7-8, 6-8.

The Stamford quartet of Bob Warters, Malcolm Cullingworth, Tony Scarr and Roger Martin have reach the Area semi-final of the EIBA fours.

In a one-sided match against the Grantham rink of Adam Berridge, Jim Stanfield, Bill Brunton and Ali Brunton their opponents finally conceded on the 18th end, trailing 8-26.

The Stamford four never let their opponents settle winning six of the first eight ends to lead 12-3 and killed off the match with a sequence of 3, 1, 2, 4 to earn a home tie against either Paul Roberts (Sleaford) or Matt Orrey (Grantham).

Christine Ford and Glenys Edwards had to concede their EIBA women's pairs to England Under 25 internationals Ruby Hill and Chelsea Tomlin at Spalding when Edwards suffered with a back injury after 11 ends.

James Harford, captain of Northants Derbyshire Trophy team, has made only one change for the next fixture away to Lincolnshire at Lincoln on January 10, bringing in Bob Warters (Stamford) for clubmate Tony Scarr, who is on holiday.

In the first round of matches Northants beat Hunts at Peterborough.

Says Harford: "It's a new year but the same objective. After a good start to the campaign we take on a Lincs side renowned for putting out a strong team for their home fixtures at Lincoln. We expect to have a tough game but as always the experience and quality within the Northants ranks are more than capable of getting a result which hopefully will leave us a step closer to reaching the final at Newark in April.

Northants team: Stephen Harris, Jonathan Earl, Simon Law; John Holroyd, Neil Wright, Roger Martin; Nick Wilkie, Bob Warters, James Harford; Brian Martin, Joe Randall, Tris Morton.

Stamford Men's A team entertain champions Spalding on Sunday (January 3, 2.10 pm) in a Co-Op Lincs League Division One match which should prove a cracker in entertainment value.

Both teams are trailing Boston and are desperate for a win to maintain their title challenge.

Stamford Indoor Bowls Club are pulling out all the stops to attract a fresh intake of bowlers to join their burgeoning membership of over 500, when the club stages its third free Open morning of the season on Saturday, January 9 (from 9.30am)

Equipment is also provided free of charge as coaches and experienced players offer the opportunity for newcomers to try the sport.

The club is currently buzzing after a successful Christmas tournament and encourages current members to bring along a friend to try the sport. It is also keen to appeal to previously non-bowlers to call in and for those who just bowl outdoors in the summer to see what the indoor game has to offer.