Juniors shine at Lincs Championship qualifiers

Competitors and coaches involved in the Lincs Junior championships.

THREE OF Stamford Indoor Bowls Club's brightest young stars - James Hebden, Owen Aspinall and Noah Tarabad - competed in the qualifying rounds of the Lincolnshire Under 18 championships at Horncastle on Sunday.

And James and Owen made it through to the county finals at the same venue in March next year, while Noah, who has been playing for little more than a year, performed with great credit and gained valuable experience.

Student James (17) won two of his four round-robin matches and lost narrowly in the others in the senior section, while Owen (9) won three out of four in the junior section.

For Noah (13), inadvertently entered in the senior section, it was a baptism of fire against already well-established players, but he learned a lot and will be keen to improve at the regular Stamford junior academy sessions he attends.

RUBY GETS ENGLAND CALL UP

Bourne student Ruby Hill has been included in the England women's team to compete in the International Series at Paisley from March 9-11.

She will play lead in a rink skipped by Michelle Coleman (St Neots) and is joined in the team by fellow Spalding IBC bowlers Chelsea Tomlin and Analisa Dunham.

Three more Spalding bowlers feature in the England Men's team competing in their International Series at Paisley a week later. Martin Spencer leads for Jamie Chestney, while Matt Whyers and Graham Smith form a lead and No.2 partnership for England legend Andy Thomson.