Horncastle four end Stamford's finals hopes

Post date: Feb 16, 2016 2:44:37 PM

Hopes of a second Stamford representation in the English nationals bowls finals at Melton in March were dashed on Monday, when the indoor club's last survivors in the Fours were beaten at Horncastle.

Roger Martin's rink, which also included Bob Warters, Malcolm Cullingworth and Tony Scarr, never got to grips with a tricky home surface, which Paul Bark's quartet handled with unerring accuracy.

The Stamford four won only four ends in a 9-24 defeat which reflected the Horncastle dominance of the full-length-jack game that they pursued.

Two four-shot counts in successive 7th and 8th ends to take the score to 16-3 proved the turning point and although Scarr twice ditched the jack in the closing stages the inevitable concession came in just 16 ends.

Wayne Morris (pictured ) just missed out on a place in the semi-finals of the Lincs County singles on March 20 at Spalding when he lost in the quarter-finals to Lincoln's Alan Watts at Horncastle on Sunday 17-21.

Earlier he had beaten Sleaford Nick Barnatt 21-15 and clubmate Chris Ballard (21-11) whom earlier had accounted for P O'Reilly (Lincoln) 21-5. Watts had earlier beaten Stamford's George Cameron 21-10, while David Heffernan lost 21-18 to K Lewis (Lincoln).

At the Louth qualifier, played simultaneously, Richard Allam lost to Martin Spencer (Spalding) and Adrian Field (Boston) beat Stephen Harris 21-20.

Martyn Dolby begins the defence of his Lincs County Over 65 singles title at Lincoln on Saturday against Boston rival Mick Tomlin. Another former winner, Bob Warters faces Maurice Elding (Spalding) with Alan Romaine awaiting the outcome with a bye to the next round.

Also taking part are Keith Rippin ( v Dave Saxby of Scunthorpe) and Derek King ( v E Dilnot of Long Sutton).

Doug Want reached the semi-final of the Northants Federation Senior singles beating clubmate Dennis Henshaw 21-4, but Alan Romaine and Keith Rippin missed out on a place in the pairs when Neil Wright, partnered with Shipp, drew an immaculate winner with scores level at 11 apiece.

The finals will be at Peterborough and District IBC on March 13 (from 10am).

Stamford's mixed team will look to overturn their defeat earlier in the season when they entertain Skegness, leaders of the county second division at 2.10 pm on Saturday.

In another top of the table clash Stamford Men's A host Boston in a re-arranged first division fixture starting at 12 noon on Sunday.