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Post date: Mar 14, 2020 11:42:40 AM
The shadow of all bowls being suspended for months because of the coronavirus sweeping the country, hung low over Stamford A's visit to Spalding in the First Division of the County League.
It appeared to affect the visitors far more than bottom of the table Spalding who quickly raced into a 20-shot lead and never really took their foot off the pedal.
Even the usually reliable rink skipped by Martyn Dolby and including 10-year-old live wire Ollie Jeapes caught the dark mood on rink one and slipped 17-1 behind inside ten ends - a deficit from which they never recovered.
Stamford's other youngster Owen Aspinall (11) was also caught up in the gloomy prospect of life without bowls and though he battled hard for skip Roger Martin, the rink was outbowled by a quartet in which Kevin Eakins was outstanding in a 32-10 victory.
Elsewhere Jon Earl's quartet conceded two four-counts against John Needham and Adam Warrington lost a 13-6 lead against Martin Simpson, conceding 16 shots in the last 11 ends.
The only bright spot for Stamford was the new combination of Richard Allam and Trevor Collins at No.3 and skip, paired with Dave Hudson and Jay Travis-Jenner. They held on to beat Maurice Elding's quartet 19-15 to pick up for two vital points.
If indeed the league is suspended, it will leave Boston A as champions on 94 pts from eight matches, Lincoln on 85 (7) and Stamford A third with 75 (8). Spalding will move up to second from bottom with 59 (8) but not out of the relegation zone along with Stamford B 55 (8).
Results (Stamford names only):
Lincs Men's League Division One. Spalding 111 (16 pts) Stamford 65 (2). O Jeapes, M Linnell, P Bailey, M Dolby lost 6-24; Mal Smith, D Miller, M Jeapes, J Earl lost 14-18; W Aspinall, C Ballard, N Wright, A Warrington lost 16-22; D Hudson, J Travis-Jenner, R Allam, T Collins won 19-15; M Humphreys, O Aspinall, B Warters, R Martin lost 32-10.
The Stamford mixed team which beat Spalding in what could prove to be their last county league match of the season.
LAST BOWL VICTORY SAVES MIXED TEAM FROM RELEGATION
With the last bowl of the Lincs Division One League match against league leaders Spalding, Stamford's mixed team won 94-90 to gain 14 vital points - and staved off relegation.
After some uncertainty the county executive has now decided to suspend the league because of fears over the possible spread of coronavirus - which has closed the 11 affiliated indoor clubs earlier this week.
Promotion and relegation positions will be frozen on current points leagues, which means Stamford mixed survive the drop into Division Two. No such luck for Stamford 'B', however, in the Men's first division - they are relegated in bottom place, while Stamford 'A' finish third, as do the Men's Over 60 team.
With a scratch team because of calls on players simultaneously attending the women's county rinks and Northants Federation finals, the mixed team were outstanding in their determination.
Rink honours went to Pat Jones, Carol Warters, Mick Smith and Ally McNaughton, who against seasoned veteran John Needham ran out comfortable 24-10 winners, thanks to 16 shots in the last nine ends.
The previously untried quartet of Vanessa Shackleton, John Suffling, Ann Holmes and Paul Buckley also performed heroics and might have snatched the chocolate Easter egg prizes, had they not conceded five shots on the last end.
Elsewhere Bob Warters' rink survived 21-16 as Martin Wallace, from an 8-7 lead, lost momentum again Graham Wright, conceding 10 late shots without reply.
But the final word should be saved for Rose March's rink, who despite being outplayed for long periods by veteran Maurice Elding, snatched two shots on the last end to swing the overall result in Stamford's favour.
Result (Stamford names only):
Lincs Mixed League Division One : Stamford 94 (14 pts) Spalding 90(4). T Barwell, Moir Dolby, CJones, R March lost 13-25; V Shackleton, J Suffling, A Holmes, P Buckley who. 26-17; J Lonslow, A Lonslow, S Moir, B Warters won 21-16; P Jones, C Warters, Mick Smith, A McNaughton won 24-10; E Wallace, A Lea, A March, MWallace lost 10-22. BW
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