Double rink defeat by holders Nottingham - by a single shot!

Post date: Feb 7, 2017 7:51:12 PM

In defence of the title they won on their home green last year, Nottingham A will not have a tougher test than that which Stamford A gave them in the round of the last 16 of the national Over 60s Double Rink.

Though the overall scores for the match, in which one rink of four plays at home over 18 ends while the other plays on the opposition carpet simultaneously, were wafer thin in comparison (Nottingham winning 32-31), individually the two games could not have been more different.

At home Dave Hudson, Doug Want, Peter Edwards and Martyn Dolby took time to settle but from the eighth end scored 13 shots without reply to lead 18-3 while Roger Martin's away rink struggled on an unfamiliar surface, unaware that their 8-24 deficit was not as bad as they were fearing.

Indeed at 15 ends, when the telephoned scores were compared, as the rules decree, they were only three shots behind overall. But with only three of the 18 ends to play they had lost momentum and although they picked up two on the last end, when Nottingham skip Dave Adams fired his nearest bowl off the rink, it was not enough to save the tie.

Said Stamford A captain Bob Warters: "We are disappointed with our away performance. We couldn't get to grips with the slower surface and Nottingham's long jack strategy but couldn't ask more of our home players who have proved a consistent block throughout what has again been a pretty successful campaign."

Results (Stamford names first):

Over 60s Double Rink: Stamford A 31 Nottingham A 32. Home - D Hudson, D Want, P Edwards, M Dolby won 21-6; away - B Warters, M Cullingworth, D King, Roger Martin lost 10-26.

England international Tris Morton (City of Ely) has been drafted into the Northants Federation's inter-county Derbyshire Trophy side as they bid to reach the national finals at Newark in April.

Northants host last year's runners-up Lincolnshire at Peterborough IBC on Sunday, February 19 (10am) aiming to close the gap on local rivals Hunts who have completed their four fixtures with a points total of 43 - three wins against North Cambs (14-0), Norfolk (12-2) and Lincs (10-4) - and a draw against Northants (7-7).

With 28 points at stake from their two remaining home matches (the second is at Stamford against Norfolk on Feb 27), Northants need 23 more to secure a place in the final.

Says captain James Harford: "With two home games to come, this leaves us with the best chance we have had in recent years to qualify. And keeping the team relatively the same after picking up maximum points from North Cambs, I feel confident that we have the quality to achieve our goal.

"Throughout the team we have players who can make a difference and play decisive bowls at the required times, to get the results we need."

Certainly Harford has engendered a significant spirit in the team and is confident this will continue throughout the campaign, though he is aware that both Lincs and Norfolk still and have an outside chances of qualifying.

Stephen Harris has been drafted in to replace Nick Wilkie, who has withdrawn.

Northants Derbyshire Trophy team v Lincs at Peterborough on Feb 19, 10am. (Peterborough IBC players unless stated): Brian Martin (Huntingdon), Bob Warters (Stamford), Joe Randall (Huntingham); Howard Shipp (Huntingdon), James Harford, Tristan Morton (City of Ely); Paul Dalliday, Phil Afford, Simon Law; Stephen Harris (Stamford), Neil Wright, Roger Martin (Stamford).

Mick Humphreys, John Holroyd and Kevin Vinter have reached the semi-finals of the Northants Federation triples after a convincing 23-15 defeat of Peterborough's Phil Afford, Mick Linnell and Mick Duell.

The trio now face a home draw with either Jeff Pitt's City rink or Derek King.

Earlier Humphreys teamed up with Joan Robinson and Steve Travis to see off the challenge of Malcolm and Ann Cullingworth and Richard Montgomery. After trailing 2-10 they only allowed their opposition a further shot, to win 23-11.

In the men's 4-bowl.singles, Martyn Dolby beat John Thurston 21-4 while Bob Warters lost to Howard Shipp 13-21.

Kalum Orme beat Owen Aspinall 21-10 in the Under 25 singles and faces England Under 25 triallist Joe Randall in the semi-final.

The Lincs County Mixed pairs produced a shock when John and Moira Holroyd accounted for competition favourites Rebecca Simpson and Graham Smith (Spalding) 18-6. The pair performed exceptionally well on their favoured rink 6 and gave their international opposition little chance to shine.