Early morning carpet-cleaning crew hard at it!

Post date: Oct 19, 2017 9:26:35 AM

Carpet crew: from the left Jeff Bourne, Ron Blake and Derek King.

FOLLOWING the hosting of the Open Singles Circuit, many bowlers have complimented the club on maintaining the speed of its carpet, following the latest stretching of the surface earlier in the season, writes press officer Bob Warters.

Much of this is down to regular maintenance in keeping the carpet clean and dust-free to avoid friction which ensures every bowl travels faster and more smoothly across the surface - not to every bowler's liking but ensuring that touch and feel in a well-delivered bowl gains maximum advantage.

With the operation, including extracting dust and litter from the ditches, taking over an hour, opportunites during opening hours are limited so often the cleaning crew, including Derek King, Jeff Bourne and Ron Blake can be found soon after 7am busy at their respective tasks. As well as the heavy-duty drum, they also use a lighter model and a special vacuum for the ditches.

Who says men can't handle domestic duties?

Volunteers - for playing surface cleaning, bar duty and bowling session administration - are always welcome.

PACKED FIXTURE LIST FOR THE WEEKEND

It is a packed fixture list this weekend for Stamford Indoor bowlers with the key match a national inter-club Denny Cup tussle with local rivals Melton on Saturday morning - two rinks of four at home and two away. It is played simultaneously with the aggregate score putting the winners through to play either Grantham or Sleaford.

The losers will play in the Denny Plate competition.

With Jon Earl recovering in hospital after being taken ill (we all wish him well), Peter Edwards takes over his role at No.3 in Martyn Dolby's away rink and Alan Barnes is drafted in as No.2 in Roger Martin's home rink. Matches start at 10am; Mal Smith will serve as umpire at Stamford; support for the players will be most welcome.

Home: John Holroyd, Alan Barnes, Tony Scarr, Roger Martin; Paul Dalliday, Bob Warters, Neil Wright, Simon Law.

Away: Richard Allam, Derek King, Adam Warrington, Paul Bailey; Stephen Harris, Mick Humphreys, Peter Edwards, Martyn Dolby.

On Sunday several Stamford IBC bowlers will be involved in the Derbyshire Trophy match at Peterborough IBC (10am) between Northants A and B - the first time the county has had two teams represented in this inter-county series against North Cambs, Norfolk, Hunts and Lincs.

At 1.10pm at Stamford, the club's mixed team aim to get back on track in their defence of the Lincs IBA title with the visit of Scunthorpe.

Following last week's defeat at Horncastle, captain Christine Ford has re-shuffled her side but is confident the team has enough competitive edge to put disappointment behind them.

LINCS LEAGUE NO TO SHORTS

LINCOLNSHIRE Indoor Bowling Association has decided NOT to allow shorts (grey or white) to be worn for county league and county competitions.

A request was submitted to the county executive this week but was rejected.

"Gentlemen will wear trousers and ladies shall wear either trousers (including cut-offs) or skirts," competition secretary Simon Reeson confirmed.

FOOTNOTE: Northants Bowling Federation has allowed grey tailored shorts for its outdoor competitions from next season. White shorts may also be worn in county outdoor finals.

COUNTY UNDER 18 LEAGUE TO BECOME TRIPLES FORMAT

FOLLOWING the incompletion of the Lincs IBA Under 18 League last season, the county management committee has decided to change the format from fours to three-bowl triples.

Says Simon Reeson, county competition secretary: "We feel it will make it easier for clubs to raise a team of three, together with the fact that it is a more interesting format than fours for younger bowlers."

Any clubs wishing to enter a team should respond to the county competition secretary at the earliest opportunity so fixtures can be arranged forthwith.