Stamford Indoor Bowls Club will have no representation in the team events when they host the Lincs IBA semi-finals on Sunday, April 3, though there are still hopes of home players on show in the individual men’s singles, open sets and Open Senior singles, which play-off soon.

They fought hard against a more experienced unit and picked up a vital five count to close the gap to two shots on the 12th of 18 ends. But despite three shots on the last two ends it wasn’t quite enough and they went out 12-15.

Frustrated by late withdrawals, Chris Ballard and Owen Aspinall were joined by Mike Ramsden and Richard Allam in order to fulfil their county rinks fixture at Lincoln on Sunday night against Will Bell’s quartet. And they performed resolutely only to lose 19-14 on an unfamiliar surface.

Earlier in the week Allam had been joined by Bob Warters at the same venue in the four-bowl pairs against Lincoln qualifiers Denis Skayman Jr and Richard Ashton. It didn’t go well and they conceded after 10 ends without securing a shot (0-23).

“We played half decently and had bowls within 12 inches on nearly every end,” recalled Warters “but that was nowhere near good enough against two players on top of their form. Embarrassing and disheartening perhaps, but full credit to them; we move on.”

SETBACK FOR ‘A’ AS ‘B’ TEAM ECLIPSE NEIGHBOURS

Hopes that Stamford A might close the gap on Lincs Men’s League (South) leaders Boston A, suffered a setback when they were beaten in the closing stages at Sleaford, picking up just two of the 14 points on offer.

However, Stamford ‘B’ proved too strong for a Spalding side who didn’t adapt to the Stamford surface, conceding too many shots in the early stages from which they never recovered.

Approaching the last of the 21 ends over four rinks, Stamford ‘A’ had fought back at Sleaford from a 30- shot deficit to briefly tie the match at 70 shots apiece.

And when 13–year-old Owen Aspinall trailed the jack to hold four shots on his rink, it gave Stamford a glimmer of hope of snatching a dramatic victory overall. But his opposite number, the former Stamford bowler Mark Hebden, captured the key shot for Sleaford, who also picked up a late triple on Martyn Dolby’s rink.

The home side won overall 75-71 claiming 12 points and still with a tilt at winning the league, leaders of which will play-off again the North Division.

Early on Stamford struggled to handle the slick Sleaford surface where only Adam Warrington’s rink were holding their opponents. Indeed Roger Martin’s rink were 2-11 adrift after nine ends but they fought back and a seven count on the 17th end transformed their match and the overall score. However, Stamford were not able to convert their opportunities in a thrilling finish.

Against Spalding, Stamford ‘B’ were never behind thanks chiefly to Martin Hewitt’s rink of Henry Gordon, Neil Crees and Keith Rippin who raced into a 28-2 lead in 15 ends, despite dropping a shot against Dave Nunney at the start.

The rinks skipped by Darren Middleton and Dave Heffernan finished strongly to capture vital points, though 14 shots in six ends proved a turning point for Simon Lilley in beating Ally McNaughton and claim the visitors’ consolation points.

Stamford ‘A’ entertain Spalding on Sunday (1.10pm) with the following team: B Warters, D Ford, D Miller, J Earl; M Ramsden, J Travis, N Wright, A Warrington; R Allam, D Bruce, M Linnell, R Martin; M Cullingworth, J Suffling, O Aspinall, C Ballard. Res B Crouch.

Stamford ‘A’ face their ‘B’ side on Sunday, February 13 where bragging rights will no doubt be just as important as points.

Results
South Lincs League (South): Sleaford 75 (12 pts) Stamford A 71 (2). Stamford names only: M Humphreys, J Earl, D Miller, M Dolby lost 12-18; Mal Smith, M Ramsden, N Wright, A Warrington lost 18-21; B Warters, J Suffling, O Aspinall, C Ballard lost 15-21; R Allam, D Bruce, M Linnell, R Martin won 26-15.

South Lincs League (South): Stamford B 83 (12) Spalding 55 (2). Stamford names only: D Edwards, K White, M Owens, A McNaughton lost 14-26; P Linnell, M Wallace, R Blake, D Middleton won 20-13; H Gordon, N Crees, K Rippin, M Hewitt won 33-6; T Barwell, R Graham, D Henshaw, D Heffernan won 16-10.