Lightening Strikes Twice

Stamford indoor bowlers suffered a double defeat at the hands of local rivals Spalding Lightning in the second round of two national inter-club championships.

The men lost by just nine shots in the Denny Cup to the 2024 winners while simultaneously, the women trailed by 32 in the Yetton Trophy after both teams completed 21 ends.

But it was not all doom and gloom. The Stamford home rink of Malcolm Mitchell, Neil Crees, Ian Smith and skip Tom Newman-Borret beat a Spalding rink which included Owen Aspinall and Stephen Harris - both also members at Stamford - 20-17, thanks to scoring three shots on the last end.

And on an adjoining rink in the Yetton competition there was a welcome 22-17 win for the combination of Margaret King, Michelle Smith, Elizabeth Wallace and Chris Ford.

A novel situation in the Denny contest was the appearance on opposing teams of father and son Wayne and Owen Aspinall.

Though both play their domestic competitions at Stamford IBC,  17-year-old Owen is also attached to Spalding’s new temporary venue at Long Sutton, whom he represents nationally and has just received notification of his first England Under 18 cap. 

While the men’s national team challenge is over, the Stamford women will now contest the Yetton Plate competition in December.

Results

Denny Cup: Stamford 64 Spalding Lightning 75.(Stamford names only): home - W Aspinall, M Porter, D Oakey, M Dolby lost 10-19; M Mitchell, N Crees, I Smith, T Newman-Borret won 20-17. Away - C Ballard, J Pearson, T Scarr, T Collins lost 16-19; J Bourne, W Morris, N Wright, A Warrington lost 18-20.

Yetton Trophy: Stamford 59 Spalding Lightning 91. (Stamford names only). home - M King, M Smith, E Wallace, C Ford won 22-17; A Sampy, L Hulme, R Downs, S Moir lost 30-7. Away - G Oakey, J Lonslow,  S Henshaw, D Mackie lost 16-18; J Hynes, J Clarke, S Suffling, R March lost 14-26.

FOOTNOTE: Stamford seniors will play Sleaford on Tuesday (Nov 25) at 10 am in the EIBA Double Rink competition - one rink at home and one away, played simultaneously, with the aggregate score to count over 18 ends. The mixed team visit Skegness on Sunday ( Nov 23).