Late surge of shots earns Stamford a place in next round of Denny Cup

Post date: Nov 2, 2013 5:28:07 PM

A late surge of shots by Stamford bowlers against a stubborn Long Sutton team has earned them a plum second round tussle with local rivals Spalding in the English Inter-Club championship for the Denny Cup.

The event, which matches two rinks of four at home and two rinks away, with the overall aggregate deciding who goes through to the next round, the scores were tied at 70-70 with captain Paul Bailey's rink still to complete the last two of their allotted 21-ends.

However, they claimed a double on each end to earn Stamford the right to take on a star-studded Spalding team who had simultaneously crushed Melton IBC 106-40.

Key to Stamford's success was the form of tireless league secretary Alan Romaine whom, at lead for Bailey's rink, gave a near faultless display - his bowls peppering the jack.

At the half way stage with the Cambridgeshire side's home teams leading 17-3 and 9-7 respectively, they held an 11-shot advantage overall before Stamford rallied to trail 60-63 with three ends to play.

Then came the surge as Martyn Dolby's quartet claimed five shots without reply, while Keith Rippin's away rink ended a six end, 12-shot winning streak with a four count.

It then just needed Bailey's rink to add the final thrust.

Result (Stamford names only):

Denny Cup: Stamford IBC 74 Long Sutton IBC 70. Home - S Harris, W Morris, A Warrington, M Dolby won 20-13; A Romaine, J Earl, M Bailey, P Bailey won 26-12; Away - R Allam, D King, C Watson, K Rippin lost 17-21; D Hudson, J Holroyd, B Warters, P Edwards lost 11-24.