Huntingdon trio carry off Presidents' title

From the left: Kevin Vinter, Jamie Magan, Howard Shipp, Joe Randall and Rosemary Roberts

Howard Shipp and Joe Randall completed a double of open titles at Stamford on Sunday in the Presidents' Charity Triples, writes SIBA press officer Bob Warters.

Having already won the Christmas tournament in December with Spalding's Nick Wilkie and former world champion Nick Brett, this time they joined with fellow Huntingdon IBC bowler Jamie Magan to take the £200 first prize in this second staging of this annual event.

They strolled through their four 8-end section games unbeaten and in the final came up against Stamford bowlers Paul Dalliday, Mick Linnell and Neil Wright who had also won their section without defeat scoring 33 points - two for each win and one point for every end won.

In the final play-off, a four count for Randall on the fourth of five ends proved the turning point. Trailing 1-4 and a shot against him, he opened the head to great effect, removing the nearest opposition bowls to take a 5-4 lead into the last end. then they completed the 7-4 win with a two shot conversion by Magan. Wright's trio won (£100).

The prizes were presented by Stamford presidents Kevin Vinter and Rosemary Roberts who revealed that a substantial amount was raised for their charity the Evergreen Trust. The event was administered by Peter Edwards and Nina Rawlins.

Joan Robinson, Margaret Bloxham and David Hudson took third place (£50) defeating Dick and Chris Ford and Richard Montgomery (£25).

FOUR TO COMPETE IN VETERANS SINGLES

Four Stamford bowlers will contest the knock-out stages of the Lincolnshire IBA Over 60 singles to be played at Grantham on February 17 from noon.

Alan Romaine, Derek King, Keith Rippin and twice a former winner Martyn Dolby, will be hoping to secure a place in the county semi-final to be hosted by Stamford IBC on March 31 ahead of the men's county finals at Louth on April 22.

12pm: T Bannister (Sleaford) v P Flatters (Boston), A Romaine (Stamford) v N Burton (Lincoln), D King (Stamford) v G Davies (Sleaford), J Collett (Lincoln) v Louth representative. 2pm: G Draper (Lincoln) v J Molson (Skegness), I Bertram (Louth) v M Dolby (Stamford), J Needham ( Spalding) v K Rippin ( Stamford), G Smith (Grantham) v T Scholley (Horncastle).

LAST BOWL DECIDER

In a thrilling match that went down to the last bowl, Stamford's Cliff Watson and late stand-in Neil Wright, qualified for the next round of the Lincs IBA pairs, defeating Skegness brothers Gary and Johnnie Morris.

The pair quickly took a commanding 17-5 lead by 11 ends before the Skegness pair adjusted to the pace of the carpet, taking the next six ends to reduce the deficit to just three shots (17-14) playing the final end.

Twice faced with a four count against him, Wright finally and dramatically trailed the jack to Watson's waiting bowls for a four count of their own (21-14).

No such joy for Alan Romaine, Mike Ramsden and Bob Warters, outclassed at Spalding by Scott & Andy Dunham and Matthew Orrey 25-5 in the county triples.

DOLBY OUTFOXES NEEDHAM

Martyn Dolby is through to the Area 5 semi-final of the EIBA Over 60 singles, after outfoxing the wily Surfleet potato farmer John Needham, who put up a stubborn rearguard before he was eventually beaten 21-16.

In an all Stamford tussle in the Over 60 pairs, Malcolm Cullingworth and Derek King beat Tony Barwell and Peter Cox 24-14

Paul Dalliday, Stephen Harris, James Harford and Martyn Dolby are out of the EIBA Fours. They lost an intense battle with the highly rated Spalding quartet of Matt Whyers, Graham Smith, Martin Spencer and Matt Orrey 11-18.

FEDERATION RESULTS

Northants Federation competitions are moving along to a climax with the finals at Peterborough on March 18. In the mixed triples, Richard Allam, Derek King and his wife Margaret beat Joan Robinson, Mick Humphreys and Roger Martin in a 19-18 thriller. The King trio now meet Mick Linnell who beat Neil Wright 18-11.

In a high quality four-bowl singles, Nick Wilkie defeated Paul Dalliday 21 -14. In the next round Wilkie will host Martyn Dolby who beat Peter Cox 21-9. Mike Ramsden earlier beat Andy Speechley 21-8.

Simon Law and James Harford knocked out Mal Smith and Paul Bailey in the pairs 20-7. Dalliday and Neil Wright beat Jeff Steels 21-14 and will meet King and Allam, who beat Tony Barwell 21-14.

Through in the mixed pairs are Robinson & Cliff Watson, Chris Ford & Martyn Dolby and Paul & Katie Bailey.

In the veterans singles, there were also wins for King over Barwell (21-7) and Alan Romaine over George Cameron (21-14).

LINCS STAGES UNDER 25 OPEN

Lincolnshire Indoor Bowls Association stages it's Under 25 singles at Lincoln IBC on Saturday, February 24, open to all affiliated club members (male and female) aged under 25 on September 30, 2017. Registration (£1 ) is on the day at 9.30am. First match 10 am.

FUNERAL OF ALAN CROXFORD

The funeral of bowls umpire and former Northants Federation president Alan Croxford (82) will be held at St John's Church,Stanground on Monday,February 19 at 1pm.