Local Indoor Bowlers Dominate County Federation Finals

Ketton Bowls club will be represented in three disciplines when the English Bowling Federation stages its national championship at Newark IBC from April 19-23 after its players dominated the Northants Women’s Bowling Federation finals at Stamford .

Ladies Singles Winner Elizabeth Wallace (left) with Christine Ford.

From L to R: Shirley Suffling, Elizabeth Wallace, Christine Ford, Rose March, Pat Jones & Denise Mackie.

Elizabeth Wallace won the Senior singles, Shirley Suffling and Christine Ford the pairs and the trio combined to take the rinks title.

The club might have had a fourth representative but Ketton chairman Bob Warters’ partnership with singles finalists Mick Humphreys (Whittlesey Manor) and Stephen Harris (Blackstones) just failed. They were beaten 18-16 by the Parkway trio of Paul Dalliday, James Harford and Simon Law in the NBF rinks after leading 15-10 with just six of the 21 ends remaining.

For Wallace it was a satisfying victory against her club rival Ford after trailing 14-17 at 21 ends. But a four count turned the tables and she followed it with a single and a three to finally clinch victory in their marathon match.

For Suffling and Ford in the pairs, it was more straight forward. They dominated county competition secretary Valerie Du’Kett (Ketton) and county secretary Terri Handley (Deeping Association) 22-13. And in the triples Suffling and Ford joined Wallace to topple Rose March (Ketton), Pat Jones (Empingham) and Denise Mackie (Ketton) 21-15.

From L to R: Martyn Dolby, Christine Ford, Adam Warrington, John & Moira Holroyd and Kevin Vinter

Michael Humphreys (L) who lost 9 - 21 to Stephen Harris (R).

It was a different story for Ford in the mixed rinks playing with Blackstones pair Adam Warrington and Martyn Dolby. when they found the Stamford Town trio of Moira & John Holroyd with Kevin Vinter at skip in relentless form.

Moira and John peppered the jack from the first end and with skip Vinter rocked their illustrious opponents by racing into a 19-0 lead in just nine ends. They conceded a four count on the next end but then added six more shots for a 25-4 victory when their opponents conceded early due to the onslaught.

Tony Barwell (left with Cliff Watson)

Club President Ian Hall overseeing the day's proceedings.

Elsewhere Local Club Empingham enjoyed double success with two of their players Tony Barwell & Chris Ballard reaching the finals at Newark for the first time. Barwell overcame Cliff Watson (Peterborough & District) with a fine display of draw bowling in a close tussle where the score belied the closeness of the game to take the veterans crown 21-8. Meanwhile Ballard teamed up with Deeping neighbour, Brian Martin (Parkway), in a 24-14 defeat of Stamford Town’s Holroyd and Richard Allam,

Other results: Women’s singles - Joan Robinson (Yaxley) beat Michelle Smith (Whittlesey Manor) 21-19; mixed pairs - Robinson (Yaxley) & Tom Newman (Whittlesey Manor) beat Ian & Michelle Smith (Whittlesey Manor) 21-9.

Pictured above Richard Allam & John Holroyd (left) with winners Chris Ballard & Brian Martin.

DOLBY LOOSES AT FINAL HURDLE

Martyn Dolby’s bid to reach the EIBA national finals of the Over 60 singles in Nottingham, stumbled at the Area final stage when he was beaten 21-11 at Spalding by John Robinson (Melton IBC).

However, he will skip a Lincolnshire rink at Nottingham on April 14 which includes Stamford clubmates Tony Barwell and Mick Linnell in the final of the inter-county Over 60 Knock-Out against Essex.

Dolby will also play Paul Bark (Horncastle) at 9am in the semi-final of the Lincs IBA Senior singles at Stamford IBC on April 3. It is one of eight singles semi-finals that day, which will also include pairs, triples and fours in sessions starting at 9am, 1pm and 5pm.

The club is also looking for volunteers to serve as markers and scoreboard attendants. Please contact Bob Warters.

Draw for the County Semi Finals:

9:00 AM

O'60 Singles: Martyn Dolby v Paul Bark (Marker - Judy Barwell)
Triples: John Nott, Danny Brown & George Draper (Lincoln A) v Graham Smith, Martin Spencer & Matt Orrey (Spalding A)
Mixed Pairs: Ruby Hill & Jordan Philpott (Spalding) v Rene Walker & Colin Barks (Dunholme)
Triples: Andy Dunham, Lewis Parnell & Kevin Ekins (Spalding C) v Ryan Jackson, Kevin Rands & Billy Jackson (Lincoln B)
U'25 Singles: Liam Reeson v James Staples (Marker - Ally McNaughton)
Sets Singles: Dominic McVittie v Ian Clark (Marker - Tony Barwell)

1:00 PM

Pairs: Sam Ashton & George Draper (Lincoln B) v Brian Martin & Jordan Philpott (Spalding A)
Rinks: Nathan Dunnington, Scott Whyers, Alex Tomlin & Jonathan West (Boston A) v Ryan Jackson, Dean Stevenson, Kevin Rands & Billy Jackson (Lincoln B)
Rinks: Paul Davies, Paul Ward, Keith Bell & Will Bell (Lincoln A) v Darren Trapmore, Lee Boucher, Keith Jackman & Paul Bark (Horncastle)
O'60 Singles: Martin Simpson v John Maury (Marker - Ally McNaughton)

5:00 PM

Singles: Paul Bark v Paul Roberts (Marker - Judy Barwell)
Singles: George Draper v Jim Pullen (Marker - Bill Orme)
U25 Singles: Jordan Philpott v Stephen Harris (Marker - Mike Ramsden)
Sets Singles: Trevor Banister v Kevin Rands (Marker - Roger Clarke)
Mixed Pairs: Mary Johnson & Keith Jackman (Horncastle) v Tina & Simon Reeson (Louth A)

To be arranged as some players in four finals

Pairs: Mike Smith & Kevin Rands (Lincoln A) v Keith Jackman & Paul Bark (Horncastle)

NATIONAL 2022/23 EIBA ENTRY FORMS NOW AVAILABLE

Bowlers at the Stamford Indoor Club, wishing to enter national individual competitions for next winter season, must submit entry forms and fees themselves direct to EIBA rather than via the club.

Printed entry forms 'A' are available opposite reception for individuals to submit their entries. They can also be downloaded here.

For singles, pairs, triples and fours the entry fee is £4.50 per player with age-related competitions requiring date of birth of each potential bowler. Competitors in these events must qualify by age at September 30, 2022. Payment is by bank transfer, cheque or by phoning HQ with debit card details (details on the form).

Deadline for 2022-23 entries, including payment, is June 3, 2022.

The Stamford club will be responsible for entries into national team competitions including Denny Cup, Yetton Trophy, Over 60 Double rink and Mason Trophy.

Meanwhile the 2021/22 National finals start at Nottingham this coming Saturday 26 March.

Several of our club members are playing this weekend with Stephen Harris, Paul Dalliday and Simon Law selected for the Lincolnshire County team who will contest the final of the prestigious Liberty Trophy when they play Surrey at 1pm on the Saturday.

On the Sunday it will be the turn of the youngsters when two of our members Owen Aspinall and Ollie Jeapes play for Lincolnshire in the semi finals of the two rink under 18 triples against Suffolk at 9.30am. If successful they will go forward to play in the final at 2pm to play the winner of Devon versus Kent.

We wish them all the very best in their quest for trophies.

TRICKY TIE FOR ‘A’ TEAM AT GRANTHAM


Lincs Men’s League (South) leaders Stamford A face a tricky test at Grantham on Saturday (2pm) if they are to improve their seven point advantage over Boston A.


The unpredictable home side can often punch above their weight, especially on their own carpet but Stamford will have some of their regulars back in action after their visit to Boston B was postponed last week.


Stamford A: B Crouch, A Lonslow, I Reay, B Warters; M Ramsden, D Miller, N Wright, A Warrington; W Aspinall, J Suffling, O Aspinall, C Ballard; R Allam, D Bruce, M Humphreys, M Linnell