Harris beaten in national 2-bowl quarter-final

Post date: Mar 26, 2019 2:24:50 PM

Stephen Harris, the Stamford bowler who plays the indoor game at both his home club and Spalding IBC, underlined his credentials as one of the best leads in the country by reaching the last eight in the national two-bowl singles.

Recently capped for the first time by England Under 25s in the home internationals at Aberdeen, the 22- year-old beat Harry Goodwin (Plymouth) 21-16 before returning to Nottingham for an early morning quarter-final start against Martin Puckett (Dorchester).

However, Puckett proved too strong, winning 21-12 and went on to reach the final against former world singles champion Nick Brett (Huntingdon) by beating Lee Calver (Ipswich) 21-17 in the semi-final.

Brett won the final and Spalding's Chelsea Tomlin won the women's two-bowl discipline.

SENIORS NEARLY THERE

By demolishing Boston B 143-69 and picking up a maximum 18 points, Stamford's team competing in the second division of the Lincolnshire Over 60s League have confirmed promotion and all but clinched the championship.

With only one match to play - at home to struggling Lincoln C on April 10 - they are 18 points clear of rivals Lincoln B, who must win on all five rinks against Dunholme the following day.

And even that may not be enough as Stamford already have a superior shots difference.

Said captain David Heffernan, who took over the team in September and drafted in some new blood, following relegation from Division One: "I am really proud of the way we have come back from some early setbacks. We have since proved we are a match for anyone at home and away and we are looking forward to challenging the Lincoln A side who have apparently won the Division One title for the last 22 years!"

The result against Boston B was never I doubt as Stamford went on the rampage across the board.

Leading the charge and taking the rink honours was the untried combination of Tony Barwell, Dusty Miller, Peter Burt and Bob Warters who combined expertly to run out 37-10 winners, including a five, two four-counts and four threes.

Mick Owens' rink recorded two fives in the last five ends, with Trevor Christie claiming two five counts and Cliff Watson one, respectively. A late flurry of scoring kept Richard Martin's rink on top.

Results (Stamford names only):

Lincolnshire Over 60s League Division Two: Stamford 143 (18 pts) Boston B 65 (0). R Graham, J Bourne, R Montgomery, T Christie won 24-20; D Howarth, T Weaver, D King, Richard Martin won 27-8; T Barwell, D Miller, P Burt, B Warters won 37-10; A Romaine, S Travis, D Bruce, C Watson won 26-7; D Hudson, D Henshaw, D Heffernan, M Owens won 29-19.

COUNTY SETS SINGLES NOW OPEN TO ALL

Following a proposal put forward by the Stamford club, the Lincolnshire Indoor Bowling Association has agreed to include women in the sets singles discipline for the 2019-20 season.

At least half a dozen women at Stamford have expressed interest in competing against the men in a shortened version of the 21-up singles, which demands the best of two 7-end sets providing a winner. If the sets are tied a best of three end tie-breaker will decide the winner.

The sets singles will initially be played internally and depending how many entries each club generates, upto six qualifying places will be awarded to go forward to play-offs at a pre-determined venue.

Among the reasons for Stamford submitting the application to the county was the performance of Christine Ford qualifying for the semi-finals of the Open Over 60 singles to be played against Trevor Bannister at Horncastle on March 30.

Forms for all county competitions are available to download from an earlier article (below) and from the display slots opposite reception. Closing date is April 20. BW