Last bowl eclipses senior B hopes at Horncastle

Post date: Nov 6, 2018 4:09:16 PM

Watched by Richard Montgomery and Malcolm Cullingworth, Tony Barwell in action against Horncastle (image courtesy of Lee Hellwing, Rutland & Stamford Mercury)

IT TOOK the last bowl of an 18-end thriller played between clubs 55 miles apart, to separate Stamford B and Horncastle in the first round of the national Over 60 double rink.

The competition requires clubs to field two rinks of four senior bowlers - one rink at home, one away - to contest each round with the aggregate scores, exchanged by phone every five ends, progressing to the next round.

Having completed a 20-12 victory at Stamford, Tony Barwell, Malcolm Cullingworth, Richard Montgomery and Keith Rippin were hopeful it would be enough to take the tie, especially as they led overall by four shots with three ends still to play at Horncastle.

However, the north Lincolnshire side extended their own home advantage to lead by one with an end to play and although Stamford temporarily held two shots, Horncastle added an extra shot to win the tie 29-27 overall.

Results (Stamford names only):

Over 60s Double Rink: Horncastle 29 Stamford B 27: Home - T Barwell, M Cullingworth, R Montgomery, K Rippin won 20-12; J Bourne, D Heffernan, K Gentry, C Watson lost 7-17.

FOOTNOTE: Stamford 'A' players duly turned out at both venues for their Double Rink match with Grantham, but despite the match being scheduled for a set date and time by the national body, their local rivals failed to produce any players. Stamford 'A' received a walk-over and will play either Spalding in the next round. They beat Skegness 40-37.

YETTON CONFUSION CLARIFIED

Confusion surrounding Stamford women's Yetton Plate opponents and the date on which the match is played has been clarified with the announcement that Stamford will play Leicester on Saturday (November 10).

Two rinks will play at home while two others will play at Leicester simultaneously with a 10 am start. Winners will play Peterborough on November 17.

Stamford: Home - J Want, A Preston-Bambridge, C Warters, D Mackie; R Roberts, F Rogers, M Bloxham, P Birch. Away - J Brennan, Pat Jones, S Suffling, C Ford; E Wallace, M Andrews, M Holroyd, G Edwards.

TOP CLUB TEAM

After beating Kempston Park in the last round, Stamford have been drawn at Kettering Borough in the second of the Top Club tournament on November 18, which demands a mixed team playing singles, pairs, triples and fours from 10 am.

Team: singles - Christine Ford and Adam Warrington; pairs - Elizabeth Wallace and Martyn Dolby; triples - P Dalliday, S Suffling, S Law; fours - H Holroyd, K Bailey, J Harford, T Morton.

STAMFORD FACE SPALDING IN EGHAM TROPHY

In a bid to reach the third round of the prestigious Egham Trophy competition, Stamford must overcome Spalding, one of the favourites, on Sunday morning.

The competition demands two mixed rinks at home and two away. Matches start simultaneously (10 am).

Stamford team: Home - E Wallace, H Holroyd, P Edwards, M Dolby; M Holroyd, J Holroyd, J Bailey, P Bailey. Away - P Dalliday, C Warters, S Suffling, S Law; B Warters, P Jones, C Ford, J Harford. Res P Bailey.