First Full England Cap for Harris
Stephen Harris, the 24-year-old EIBA National pairs champion from Stamford, has been selected for his first full England cap and will make his debut for his country in Belfast in March at the British Isles International series.
Stephen together with Spalding Clubmate Jordon Philpott at the 2019 junior International Series
His rise to the top and his selection at such a young age, will be a shock to many. But not to those in the know within the international community who have watched his progress through the ranks of the Stamford and Spalding indoor clubs, to junior and Under 26 international level until last week he put on an outstanding performance in the full England trials at Northampton.
He says:"I did well in the first half of the trials in my favourite lead position. Greg Harlow has apparently been looking for a suitable lead for his England rink and when I switched to his rink I maintained my form."
Harris, who plays with distinctive white Henselite bowls, works in a print business in Bourne and will lead for England captain Harlow, with Martin Puckett (Dorchester) at No.2 and veteran Les Gillett (Melton) at No.3.
Harris's clubmates at Spalding - Graham Smith and World indoor singles champion Mark Dawes - are also in the team, together with Matt Whyers (Boston).
Harris will also lead for Spalding clubmate Jordan Philpott in the England side that contests the Under 26 Series at Ffrith IBC in Wales from February 19-20.
Spalding IBC trio Ruby Hill, Chelsea Tomlin and Annie Dunham will represent England in the women's international series from March 11-13.
NEWS FROM LADIES MASON TROPHY
In the National Senior Ladies double rink event with one rink at home and one away, Stamford's women out bowled their Grantham neighbours 54-14 to reach the next round against Spalding on January, 21.
Stamford names only: Home - June Brennan, Elizabeth Wallace, Shirley Suffling, Chris Ford won 25-7; Margaret King, Rosemary Roberts, Carol Warters, Rose March won 29-8.
FOOTNOTE: Tony Barwell progressed to next round of the national Over 60s singles, beating Stamford colleague Neil Crees 21-8. He plays either John Pearson or Martyn Dolby.
NOTTINGHAM NEXT FOR YETTON WOMEN
Stamford's women bowlers will face Nottingham in the last 16 of the Yetton Plate - a national inter-club competition for those beaten in the first round of the Yetton Trophy. They comfortably beat Melton by 37 shots, while Nottingham accounted for Scunthorpe 89-60.
The two clubs will meet on January 8 in the home and away format - the same day the Stamford club is due to host its latest recruitment drive, when rinks will also be set aside simultaneously for new bowlers to try the game.
The writing was on the wall for Melton when Christine Ford's Stamford away rink picked up a four and a seven count in the first two ends and went on to add a further 16 shots from the 11th end to eventually win by 25 shots, while on the adjoining rink Rose March's quartet strolled to a 16-shot win.
At Stamford meanwhile, Sue Lemon's Melton rink rallied from 7-14 down to win by five, while Carol Warters' four started badly but eventually prevailed by one shot, with the overall result already secured.
Result EIBA Yetton Plate:
Melton 60 Stamford 97. Stamford names only: Home - M Andrews, J Benns, M Broadbelt, S Suffling lost 21-26; V Du'Kett, P Birch, P Jones, C Warters won 16-15; away - J Brennan, E Wallace, S Henshaw, C Ford won 38-13; J Lonslow, M King, M Holroyd, R March won 22-6.