Melton next after Denny Plate win over Sleaford

Post date: Nov 5, 2016 5:19:20 PM

Fireworks certainly contributed to Stamford's progression in the Denny Plate against local rivals Sleaford with five 'killed ends' in quick succession mid way through the match when their opponents threatened to take a stranglehold on the tie.

While Stamford's two home rinks -skipped by Peter Edwards and Martyn Dolby - were taking control, Sleaford's surface was proving difficult to handle for the away players.

So it needed a handful of bombers - three of them from Roger Martin - to prevent Sleaford from turning the tables on their recent heavy defeat by Stamford in the county league.

Several shots down at the time it meant the Stamford bowlers were able to replay the 'burned' ends and earn some respite from Sleaford's players mastering the front end of the away rinks.

And the intervention of heavy artillery could not have been more timely because with the tie slipping away, Stamford needed to dig in.

The home rinks gave them an 11 shot lead after the scheduled 18 ends but trailing by eight away overall, Martin's rink needed to capitalise on Bailey picking up one on the last end.

Sleaford skip Richard Musson had the chance to convert a match-saving three count but having smacked the head of bowls with his last effort, when the dust settled Stamford held on with one shot to win the match by four.

In the next round they will play Melton & District at home and away simultaneously on November 19.

Result (Stamford names only)

Denny Plate Stamford 62 Sleaford 58. Home - D Hudson, D Miller, C Watson, P Edwards won 18-10; S Harris, M Humphreys, J Earl, M Dolby won 16-13. Away - R Allam, D King, A Warrington, P Bailey lost 16-17; J Holroyd, A Barnes, B Warters, Roger Martin lost 12-18