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Post date: Mar 17, 2019 12:59:33 PM
Helen Holroyd with NBF and NWBF officials Viv Hempsall, Chris Ford and Dick Noble
IF FURTHER evidence was needed that bowls is that rare phenomenon where the game can be played on equal terms by both men and women, the final of the Northants Federation Under 25 singles proved it beyond doubt, writes Bob Warters.
Recently capped England Under 25 international Stephen Harris (21) representing the Blackstones club, was matched against Stamford Town's Helen Holroyd (23) and though a young player with great potential she was not expected to trouble a bowler who has held this county title both indoors and outdoors for several years.How wrong the assembled spectators at Stamford IBC were. Helen, who is currently qualifying for her coaching badges, was outstanding against an adversary recently named England player of the series on his recent debut in Aberdeen.
In the two-bowl singles contest, she trailed 6-8 at nine ends and 9-10 (12) before asserting her authority on longer jacks to lead 13-10 and 19-13, only conceding the 23rd send to a single.Helen finally clinched it with an almost unbeatable front bowl to win 21-14 and went on to win three more titles, including the women's pairs with Louise Harris, whom she beat in the women's 4-bowl singles final 21-18 after trailing 6-16.At the other end of the age scale, playing on their home indoor rinks, Martyn Dolby (Blackstones, pictured right) celebrated his birthday by eventually seeing off the keen challenge of Northants president Dick Noble (West Ward) with a 21-9 victory in the Veterans singles.
In the women's equivalent, Christine Ford (Ketton) beat Conservative's Sheila Craig 21-13. The turning point in a close encounter, came on the 13th end when Ford picked up a maximum to stretch clear 19-10.
FEDERATION FINALS RESULTS
Men's veteran 4-bowl singles - Dick Noble (West Ward) lost to Martyn Dolby (Blackstones, pictured right) 9-21; women's senior 4-bowl singles - Sheila Craig (Conservative) lost to Christine Ford (Ketton) 13-21; Under 25 Open singles - Stephen Harris (Blackstones) lost to Helen Holroyd (Stamford Town) 14-21.
Women's 2-bowl pairs - Marlene Osbourne & Hazel Bass (Yaxley) lost to Louise Harris (Blackstones) & Helen Holroyd (Stamford Town) 6-28; men's 4-bowl singles - Paul Dalliday (Parkway) beat James Harford (Parkway) 21-17.
Mixed 2-bowl Triples - Alan Romaine (Vanguard) Carol and Bob Warters (Ketton) lost to Moira, Helen & John Holroyd (Stamford Town, pictured left) 14-20 ; men's 2-bowl pairs - Dalliday & Tristan Morton (Parkway) lost to Harford & Simon Law (Parkway) 14-16 ; mixed 2-bowl pairs - Ford (Ketton) & Dolby (Blackstones) lost to S & L Harris (Blackstones) 12-20.
Women's 4-bowl singles - L Harris lost to H Holroyd 18-21 ; men's 2-bowl triples - Adam Warrington, Jon Earl and Dolby (Blackstones) beat S Harris (Blackstones), Cliff Watson (Peterborough & District) & Peter Edwards (Ketton) 21-19 aee; women's 2-bowl triples - June Brennan (Ketton), Jan Want (Ryhall), Chris Ford (Ketton) beat Penny Hart (Whittlesey Town), Marlene Osbourne & Hazel Bass (Yaxley) 21-7.
NBF secretary Melvyn Beck announces the official handing over of the green by Stamford Presidents Arthur Lonslow and Shirley Suffling (left) to Northants Presidents Christine Ford and Dick Noble. (Images courtesy of Alan Romaine).
*For further information and images visit www.northantsbowlingfederation.co.uk
Look out for a special feature on the finals in Friday's Rutland and Stamford Mercury
STAMFORD B PROMOTED FROM SECOND DIVISION
With a 110-79 defeat of Skegness, Stamford B are assured of promotion from the second division of the Lincolnshire Men's League and will play their A team for bragging rights next season in Division One.
Two more points added to the 14 they claimed at Skegness from the home fixture with bottom of the table Louth B on Saturday (March 23) will assure them of the Division Two title.
Only Horncastle can spoil their championship hopes but the north Lincolnshire club will still need maximum points from two remaining fixtures against Spalding - and then only if Stamford stumble horrendously.
Stamford's victory at Skegness was chiefly down to the star rink of Tony Barwell, James Hebden, Martin Hewitt and Keith Gentry who demolished their opposition 33-11, while Ron Blake, Dusty Miller, Mark Hebden and his father-in-law Trevor Christie scored a convincing 27-14 win.
Results (Stamford names only):
Lincs Men's League Division Two: Skegness 79 (4 pts) Stamford B 110 (14). p Linnell, C Jones, D Heffernan, K Vinter lost 18-20; Mick Smith, D Veasey, D Middleton, M Owens lost 12-16; R Blake, D Miller, M Hebden, T Christie won 27-14; D Howarth, D Henshaw, A McNaughton, D King won 20-18; T Barwell, J Hebden, M Hewitt, K Gentry won 33-11.
COUNTY FOURS LOSE AT BOSTON
Representing Stamford IBC in the Lincs Women's county fours, Elizabeth Wallace, Denise Mackie, Sue Moir and Glenys Edwards put up a battling performance in to lose to a quartet from Louth on the last end.
They trailed 7-22 early on but fought back to tie the scores and even held three shots on the last end before the Louth No.3 edged their nearest bowl out for a winning shot.
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